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LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


GEN.11    ULYSSKS    S.  G11ANT 


GENERAL  GMT 


AND 


HIS    CAMPAIGNS. 

By  JULIAN  K.  LAME. 
Illustrated  toify  s  irctrait  mt  Steel, 


AND  VIEWS  OP  THE 


SURRENDER  OF  FORT  DONELSON  AND  VICKSBURG,   AND 

THE   BATTLES   AT   PITTSBURGH  LANDING 

AND   CHATTANOOGA. 


"  No  terms  except  unconditional  and  immediate  surrender  can  be  accepted, 
I  propose  to  move  immediately  on  your  works,"— Grant  to  Buckner, 


NEW  YORK: 
J.   C.    DEKBY  &  K   C.  MILLER, 

COMMISSION  BOOKSELLERS  AND  PUBLISHERS. 

1864. 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  18W, 
BY  DERBY  &  MILLER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New  York. 


«.    A.    ALVOBU,    STEREOTYPES   AND   PBINTEB. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  best  introduction  to  this  volume  that  can  be 
written,  is  to  state  that  the  subject  of  it  is  but  forty- 
one  ^ears  of  age ;  has  participated  in  two  great  wars  ; 
has  captured  during  the  present  struggle  five  hundred 
guns,  one  hundred  thousand  prisoners,  and  a  quarter 
of  a  million  of  small  arms  ;  has  redeemed  from  rebel 
rule  over  fifty  thousand  square  miles  of  territory ;  has 
reopened  to  the  commerce  of  the  world  the  mightiest 
highway  on  the  globe ;  has  stubbornly  pursued  his 
settled  path  in  spite  of  all  obstacles,  and  has  never  been 
beaten.  All  this  has  been  realized  not  with  any  de 
sire  to  gain  glory  for  himself,  but  for  the  sole  and  pa 
triotic  purpose  of  securing  the  restoration  of  the  Union. 
Modestly  and  quietly  he  moved  along,  almost  unknown 
until  the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  even  now  but 
few  are  fully  acquainted  with  all  that  he  has  acconi- 


4  INTBODUCTION. 

plished  for  the  honor  of  his  country.  If  a  work  should 
be  written  at  all  of  any  man,  while  living,  no  apology 
is  needed  for  the  present  book.  The  author  has  had 
special  opportunities  of  watching  the  career  of  General 
Grant  during  the  whole  war,  and  is  thus  enabled  to 
give  something  of  the  history  of  one  of  the  most  suc 
cessful  military  men  of  modern  times. 

J.  K.  L. 

March,  1864. 


LIST  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

INTRODUCTION. 3 

CHAPTER  I. — GRANT'S  EARLY  DAYS. 

Birth  and  birth-place — Name,  and  how  he  obtained  it — Where  he 
was  educated — "What  is  the  meaning  of  Can't?" — The  horse 
trade — He  fights  to  defend  the  name  of  Washington 13 

CHAPTER  II. — AT  WEST  POINT. 

When  admitted  and  by  whose  influence — Advancing  through  the 
classes — What  he  learned  each  year — His  graduation — His  class 
mates — Pertinacity  of  character — "  Company  Grant" 20 

CHAPTER  III. — ENTERS  THE  ARMY. 

Mexican  War — Brevet  Second-Lieutenant  of  Infantry — Employed 
on.  the  Missouri  frontier — Ordered  to  Texas — Fully  commissioned 
— Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma — "Rio  Grande — Monterey — 
Vera  Cruz — Molino  del  Key — Chapultepec — Brevet  First-Lieu 
tenant — Mentioned  in  official  reports — Regimental  companions. . .  30 

CHAPTER  IV. — SUBSEQUENT  SERVICES  AND  RESIGNATION. 

Civil  life — Oregon — Captain — Resigns  the  United  States  Service — 
Farmer  and  cord-wood  dealer — Engages  in  the  leather  trade — 
Knows  more  of  tanning  leather  than  of  politics — Value  of  good 
leather ._ 41 

CHAPTER  V. — THE  REBELLION. — GRANT  VOLUNTEERS  AND   BECOMES 
A  BRIGADIER- GENERAL. 

Staff  and  mustering  officer  in  Illinois — Energy — Colonel  of  the  21st 
Illinois  Volunteers — Services  in  Missouri — Brigadier-General  of 
Volunteers — Comparative  table  of  Generals  appointed  on  the 
same  day,  and  how  employed  on  January  1,  1864 45 

CHAPTER  VI. — POST  AND  DISTRICT  COMMANDER. — BELMONT. 

Commander  at  Cairo — Forces  increased — Value  of  Cairo — Occupa 
tion  of  Paducah  and  Smithland,  Kentucky — Proclamation — Un 
pretending  style  of  dress — Constantly  smoking — Correspondence 
with  General  Polk — Victory  at  Fredericktown — Belmont — Bra 
very  of  his  troops — Letter  to  his  father — His  appreciation  of  his 
command — Care  for  the  wounded 49 


6  CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

CHAPTER  VII. — DISTRICT  OF  CAIRO. — GRAND  RECONNOISSANCE. 

District  extended — Assumes  command — Composition  of  staff — 
Forces  further  increased — Issues  an  order  against  picket-shoot 
ing — Spies  to  be  looked  after — Reconnoissance  in  force  into  West 
ern  Kentucky — Manning  the  gunboats 59 

CHAPTER  VIII. — FORTS  HENRY  AND  DONELSON. — VALUE  OP  THE  FEINT. 

His  command  brigaded — The  start — Advance  upon  and  occupation 
of  Fort  Henry — Treatment  of  prisoners — Commander  of  three 
divisions — Movement  upon  Fort  Donelson — Investment  and  bat 
tles — Rebel  sorties — Correspondence  with  General  Buckner — 
An  " unconditional  surrender"  demanded — "I  propose  to  move 
immediately  upon  your  works" — Victory — "  The  Union  flag  floats 
over  Fort  Donelson" — Value  of  the  victory — Major-General  of 
Volunteers — General  Halleck's  announcement  of  the  success — A 
spirited  incident 66 

CHAPTER  IX. — DISTRICT  OP  WEST  TENNESSEE. 

A  new  district  formed — General  Grant  in  command — Congratula 
tory  order  for  recent  victories — Clarksville  taken — Martial  law  in 
Tennessee — Marauding  and  plunder  prohibited — Advance  up  the 
Tennessee  River — Sword  presentation — Expeditionary  move 
ments — The  rebel  commanders  opposed  to  Grant — The  Missis 
sippi  blockade 79 

CHAPTER  X. — PITTSBURG  LANDING  OR  SHILOH. 

Positions  of  the  belligerent  forces — General  A.  S.  Johnston's  ad 
dress  to  his  command — The  commanding  officers  of  both  armies — 
Preliminary  skirmishing — Rebel  plans — "  The  first  day's  strug 
gle" — Bravery  of  General  Grant — Driven  back  but  not  defeated 
— Re -enforcements — "  The  second  day's  battle" — The  result,  Vic 
tory — The  news  received  in  New  York — Excitement  throughout 
the  North — Thanks  of  the  War  Department — Salute  of  one  hun 
dred  guns — General  Grant  wounded — Correspondence  with  Gen 
eral  Beauregard — Reconnoissance — Evidences  of  a  hasty  retreat 
of  the  rebels — General  Halleck  at  Pittsburg  Landing — His 
thanks  to  General  Grant 86 

CHAPTER   XI. — MOVEMENT  AND  SIEGE  OP  CORINTH. 

Preliminary  movements — Three  armies  combined — The  "Grand 
Army  of  the  Tennessee" — How  composed — Outcry  against  Gen 
eral  Grant — Mr.  Washburne  defends  him  in  Congress — General 
Halleck  retains  him,  and  appoints  him  second  in  command — He 
superintends  the  movements  in  the  field — Gradual  evacuation  of 
Corinth — Approach  of  the  parallels — Advance  of  the  whole  army 
with  General  Grant  at  the  head — Occupation  of  Corinth — In 
teresting  detail* — Pursuit  of  the  enemy 01 


CONTENTS.  7 

PAGB 

CHAPTER  XII.— THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE.— MEMPHIS. 

His  command  further  increased — Difficulty  with  regard  to  Memphis 
— Stringent  orders — Guerilla  warfare — Aiding  the  rebels — Gen 
eral  Grant  strikes  at  the  root  of  the  evil — The  negroes  put  to 
useful  employment — The  Act  of  Congress  obeyed — Confiscation 
not  wholesale  plunder — Skulkers  to  be  drafted — Quiet  restored.  Ill 

CHAPTER  XIII. — IUKA — CORINTH  AND  THE  HATCHIE. 

Approach  of  the  rebels — Battle  of  luka — His  combinations — The 
result — Change  of  head-quarters  and  why — Rebel  advance  upon 
Corinth — Disposition  of  his  forces — Attack  upon  Corinth — The 
repulse — The  rebels  brought  between  two  fires — Grant's  strategy 
— Victory — The  President's  congratulations 120^ 

CHAPTER  XIV. — DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE. — DISCIPLINE. — TRADE. 

The  new  command — Reorganization  of  the  forces — The  army  to 
move  light — Cavalry  expeditions — Head-quarters  removed  to  La 
Grange,  Tennessee — Discipline — Marauding  to  be  severely  pun 
ished,  and  how — Departmental  staff — Contraband  camp  estab 
lished — A  regiment  assessed  to  pay  for  plundering — Trade  regu 
lations — Punishment  for  violation  of  the  same — Why  General 
Grant  would  not  appoint  traders 132 

CHAPTER  XV. — ADVANCE  INTO  MISSISSIPPI. — A  RETROSPECT. 
The  previous  efforts  to  take  Vicksburg  and  their  failures 146 

CHAPTER  XVI.— GRANT'S  FIRST  MOVEMENTS  TOWARDS  VICKSBUIKJ. 
The  expedition  by  way  of  Delta,  Mississippi — Its  success — Ad 
vance  to  and  occupation  of  Holly  Springs — Arrival  at  Oxford, 
moving  towards  Jacksonv  Mississippi — Surrender  of  Holly  Springs 
— The  result — The  guilty  party — Brave  defence  of  other  posts — 
Investigation — punishment  and  reward 151 

CHAPTER   XVII. — COMMANDER  OF  FOUR   ARMY  CORPS. — SHERMAN'S 
EXPEDITION. 

Constitution  of  the  13th,  15th,  16th  and  17th  Army  Corps— Start 
of  General  Sherman's  expedition — Stringent  order — Landing  of 
the  forces 157 

CHAPTER  XVIIL— SHERMAN'S  ATTACK  UPON  VICKSBURG.— ARKANSAS 

POST. 

Advance  of  the  right  wing  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee — The 
assault  upon  the  works — Their  strength — The  charge  upon  the 
heights — Change  in  the  command — The  capture  of  Arkansas 

Post 162 

CHAPTER  XIX. — DISCIPLINE. — GUERILLAS. 

Disaffection  of  the  109th  Illinois  Volunteers— Court  of  Inquiry— 
Disgraceful  dismissal  of  disloyal  officers — Cavalry  operations — 
General  Grant's  order  concerning  negro  troops 170 


8  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTER  XX. — CHANGE  or  BASE. — WILLIAMS'S  CANAL. 

Head-quarters  established  at  Young's  Point — The  rebel  position — 
Reopening  of  the  Williams  Canal — Important  order — Recon 
noitring  expeditions 174 

CHAPTER  XXI. — THE  QUEEN  OF  THE  WEST  AND  INDIANOLA. 

Running  the  batteries — Colonel  Ellet's  operations — loss  of  the  two 
vessels 178 

CHAPTER  XXII. — THE  LAKE  PROVIDENCE  CANAL.  182 

CHAPTER   XXIII. — THE  YAZOO  PASS  EXPEDITION. 
Dangers  of  the  trip — Blockade  of  the  Tallahatchie — Diversion  of  the 
rebel  forces 184 

CHAPTER  XXIV. — THE  STEELE'S  BAYOU  EXPEDITION. 

Personal  reconnoissance — Dangerous  position  of  the  expeditionary 
vessels — Opportune  arrival  of  General  Sherman's  troops 190 

CHAPTER  XXV. — THE  HEALTH  OF  THE  ARMY. 

Surgeon-General  Hammond's  inquiries — General  Grant's  replies — 
"  No  army  in  better  condition" .' 198 

CHAPTER  XXVI. — OVERLAND  MOVEMENTS. — RUNNING  THE  BATTERIES. 

Admiral  Farragut's  arrival  at  Vicksburg  via  Port  Hudson — Two 
rams  run  by  the  Vicksburg  batteries — The  march  to  New  Car 
thage  and  Perkins's  Plantation — Porter's  fleet  passes  Vicksburg 
— Passage  of  the  transports 201 

CHAPTER  XXVII. — GRIERSON'S  EXPEDITION. 

Dash  of  the  cavalry — Feints — The  Southern  Railroad  destroyed — 
Immense  destruction  of  rebel  government  property — Arrival  at 
Baton  Rouge — General  Grant's  report 204 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. — OTHER  PRELIMINARY  MOVEMENTS. — ATTACK  UPON 
GRAND  GULF. 

Affair  at  Nanconnah — General  Banks's  movements  from  Baton 
Rouge — The  army  at  Hard  Times — Naval  attack  upon  Grand 
Gulf— Running  the  batteries 210 

CHAPTER  XXIX. — THE  LANDING  AT  BRUINSBURG  AND  ADVANCE. 
Marching  light — The  bivouac — Rapid  movements — The  march. ...  212 

CHAPTER  XXX. — THE  BATTLE  OF  THOMPSON'S  HILL  OR  PORT  GIBSON. 
— THE  EVACUATION  OF  GRAND  GULF. 

Skirmishing — The  fight — General  Grant  on  the  field — The  enemy 
driven — The  pursuit — General  Grant  occupies  Grand  Gulf — His 
entire  disregard  of  danger 216 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  XXXI. — OUTSIDE  OPERATIONS. 

Corwyn's  cavalry  expedition — Sherman's  feint  on  the  Yazoo — 
General  Banks  to  co-operate 223 

CHAPTER    XXXII. — THE  ADVANCE  TOWARDS  JACKSON. — BATTLE   OF 
RAYMOND. 

Hawkinson's  Ferry. — Feint  towards  Warrenton — Alarm  in  Jack 
son — Governor  Potter's  proclamation — Order  of  advance — The 
march — "  I  shall  communicate  with  Grand  Gulf  no  more" — 
Battle  near  and  occupation  of  Raymond 227 

CHAPTER  XXIII. — THE  CAPTURE  AND  OCCUPATION  OP  JACKSON. 

Clinton  occupied— Movement  upon  the  city  by  two  routes — The 
contest    outside    the    city — At   Jackson — Destruction  of  rebel  ' 
government  property — Interesting  details 236 

CHAPTER  XXXIV.— THE  ADVANCE  RENEWED.— CHAMPION'S  HILL. 

Important  information  gained — Prompt  advance — Concentric  move 
ments — Battle  of  Champion's  Hill— General  Grant  on  the  field 
— Rebel  official  acknowledgments  of  defeat 243 

CHAPTER  XXXV. — BATTLE  OP  Bia  BLACK  RIVER. 

General  Sherman's  flank  movement — General  Grant  personally 
looks  after  the  pontoon  train — The  contest  on  the  banks  of  the 
Big  Black — The  rebels'  admirable  position 248 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. — APPROACHING  VICKSBURG. — INVESTMENT. — FIRST 

ASSAULT. 

Communication  opened  with  the  Yazoo  River — The  advance  upon 
the  rebel  strong-hold — The  first  assault — Admiral  Porter's  co 
operation — The  United  Service 252 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. — THE  SECOND  ASSAULT  UPON  VICKSBURG. 

Why  this  assault  was  made — A  decisive  order — The  signal — The 
advance — Determination  of  the  troops — Heavy  rebel  fire — The 
charge — The  repulse — Interesting  details — Admiral  Porter's  re 
port — General  McClernand's  objectionable  order — General  Grant's 
decisive  action — His  army  first,  his  friend  afterwards — The 
rebel  General  Pemberton's  determination  to  hold  Vicksburg 260 

CHAPTER  XXXVIIL— THE  SIEGE  OP  VICKSBURG. 

The  rebel  works  nearly  invested — A  leak  discovered — Valuable 
information  gained — Threatened  in  the  rear — Preparations  to 
resist  the  threat — General  Blair's  expedition — The  sappers  and 
miners  at  work — Reenforcements — General  Sherman's  expedi 
tion — The  rebels'  "  faith  in  the  Lord  and  Joe  Johnston" — The 

latter  taken  care  of 275 

1* 


10  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX.— THE  EXPLOSION  OP  THE  MINE. 

The  mine — How  worked — The  powder  deposited — Details  of  the 
firing  and  explosion — The  scene — The  dash  at  the  breach — An 
other  decisive  order 281 

CHAPTER  XL. — THE  SURRENDER  or  VICKSBURG. 

The  city  spared,  and  why — The  approaching  parallels — The  rebels 
desire  a  capitulation — The  meeting  of  the  commanding  Generals 
— The  terms  "  Unconditional  Surrender" — Suspension  of  hostili 
ties — Magnanimous  conduct  to  the  besieged — The  garrison  al 
lowed  io  march  out  with  the  honors  of  war 290 

CHAPTER  XLI. — OCCUPATION  OF  VICKSBURG. — THE  LOSSES. 
f 

The  entrance  of  the  Union  Army  into  Vicksburg — Condition  of  the 
city — The  rebel  losses — Comparative  statement  of  casualties — 
General  Halleck's  report  of  the  campaign — His  opinion  of  Gen 
eral  Grant — The  President's  autograph  letter  of  thanks. — His  joke 
upon  Grant's  whiskey — Port  Hudson — Its  fail  necessitated  by 
the  capitulation  of  Vicksburg. . , 302 

CHAPTER  XLII. — THE  PURSUIT  OF  JOHNSTON. — SECOND   CAPTURE  OF 
THE  CITY  OF  JACKSON. 

General  Sherman's  preparations — The  pursuit  commenced — Joe 
Johnston's  appeal— Jackson  invested  on  three  sides — Details  of 
the  advance — Evacuation  of  the  city  by  the  rebels  and  occupa 
tion  by  the  Union  troops 317 

CHAPTER  XLIII. — AT  VICKSBURG,  BUT  NOT  IDLE. 

The  Yazoo  City  expedition — The  Red  River  and  Natches  expedi 
tion — The  Mississippi  Valley  campaign  ended 326 

CHAPTER  XLIV. — His  SUCCESS  MADE  SURE. — His  DEPARTMENT  SE 
CURED. — CARE  FOR  THE  SOLDIERS. 

Mrs.  General  Grant — Sword  presentation — Major-General  of  the 
Regular  Army — Furloughs  for  the  troops — The  contrabands — 
Trade — Letter  to  Secretary  Chase — An  overcharging  steam- 
boatman  made  to  disgorge — Guerillas  to  be  severely  dealt  with 
Negro  camps 331 

CHAPTER  XLV. — VISIT  TO  MEMPHIS  AND  NEW  ORLEANS. 

The  dinner  at  Memphis — The  toasts — "  De  Soto,  Fulton,  Grant" — 
He  visits  other  districts — Arrival  at  New  Orleans — Review  at 
Carrolton — Thrown  from  his  horse  and  seriously  injured — The 
result 341 

CHAPTER  XLVI. — AN  ENLARGED  COMMAND. — MILITARY  DIVISION  OF 

THE  MISSISSIPPI. 

General  Grant  looks  after  the  pay  of  his  soldiers — Jurisdiction  of  the 
district  of  Vicksburg — Badge  of  honor  for  the  troopa — Concentra- 


CONTENTS.  1 1 

PAGB 

tion  at  Chattanooga — The  rebels  resisting  the  advance  of  re-en 
forcements — Meeting  between  General  <* -ant  and  Secretary  Stan- 
ton — Arrival  at  Louisville — Assumes  coiu.mand — His  immensa  re 
sponsibility — Position  of  affairs 349 

CHAPTER  XLVII. — ACTIVE  MOVEMENTS. — LOOKOUT  VALLEY. 

Sad  condition  of  the  troops  at  Chattanooga — General  Grant  effects 
a  change — Lookout  Valley  occupied — Communications  re-opened 
— Rebel  chagrin — Incidents 360 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. — LONGST*EET'S  ADVANCE  UPON  KNOXVILLE. 

General  Grant's  quiet  demeanor — Deals  with  raiding  parties 
through  their  friends — Arrival  of  Sherman's  forces  at  Chatta 
nooga — Longstreet's  flank  movement — The  rebels  allowed  to 
advancj,  and  why — General  Grant's  plans 371 

CHAPTER  XLIX. — THE  BATTLES  BEFORE  CHATTANOOGA. — FIRST  DAY. 

General  "Wood's  reconnoissance — An  advance — The  rebels  think  it 
a  review  until  too  late — Orchard  Knob  taken — Gallantry  of  the 
troops 376 

CHAPTER  L. — THE  SECOND  DAY. — LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN. 

General  Hooker's  movements  on  the  right — A  new  specimen  of 
tactics. — The  mountain  taken — General  Grant's  modest  dispatch..  380 

CHAPTER  LI. — THIRD  DAY. — TUNNEL  HILL. — MISSION  RIDGE. 

Sherman's  terrific  assaults — Details  of  the  contest — Value  of  the 
struggle — Granger's  grand  attack  in  the  centre — The  advance 
through  the  valley  of  death — The  heights  gained — The  rebels  in 
full  retreat — Granger's  complimentary  order — Incidents 390 

CHAPTER  LIL — RETROSPECT  OF  THE  THREE  DAYS'  BATTLES. 

General  Meigs's  semi-official  dispatch — The  victory — General  Grant's 
bravery — "  Another  victory  added  to  the  chapter  of  '  Uncondi 
tional  surrender  Grant.' " 409 

CHAPTER  LIII. — THE  PURSUIT. — FIGHT  AT  RINGGOLD. 

The  rebels  closely  followed  up — The  affair  at  Chickamauga  Depot 
— Immense  destruction  of  rebel  stores — The  contest  at  Ring- 
gold — Occupation  of  the  Gaps — Rebels  retreat  to  Dalton — Gen 
eral  Bragg's  dispatch 413 

CHAPTER  LIV. — KNOXVILLE  RELIEVED. 

General  Grant's  splendid  strategy  developed — He  first  defeats 
Bragg  and  then  turns  upon  Longstreet — President  Lincoln's 
proclamation  of  thanksgiving  for  victory — His  dispatch  of  thanks 
to  General  Grant — General  Halleck's  report  of  the  campaign — 
Rebel  fears  of  Grant's  movements — Congratulatory  order  to  the 
troops — What  had  been  accomplished  in  a  short  time — General 
Grant  as  he  appeared  during  the  campaign — Incidents 420 


12  CONTENTS. 

PAGB 

CHAPTER  LY. — HONORS  TO  GENERAL  GRANT. — THANKS  OP  CONGRESS- 
— GOLD  MEDAL. 

The  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne's  resolutions — Thanks  of  Congress — 
A  gold  medal  to  be  presented  to  General  Grant — "  Public  resolu 
tion  No.  1" — The  medal — Honorary  member  of  missionary  soci 
eties — Nominated  for  President — Thanks  of  State  Legislatures — 
Presentations 430 

CHAPTER  LVI. — LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. — CONGRESSIONAL  NOMINATIONS. 

The  grade  of  Lieutenant-General  to  be  revived — General  Grant 
nominated  for  the  position — Exciting  debate  in  Congress — 
Speeches  of  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Farnsworth  and  Washburne — The 
nomination  approved  by  one  hundred  and  seventeen  votes 431 

CHAPTER  LYIL— PREPARING  FOR  A  NEW  CAMPAIGN. 

General  Grant  submits  a  plan  of  action — Eesolution  to  raise  one 
million  of  men  to  be  placed  under  his  command — Forethought  on 
behalf  of  repentant  rebels — Orders  under  the  confiscation  act — 
The  property  of  loyal  persons — Care  for  his  troops 443 

CHAPTER  LVILT. — PERSONALLY  INSPECTS  HIS  GRAND  DEPARTMENT. 

His  departure  from  Chattanooga — Arrival  at  Nashville — Visit  to 
Knoxville — Dangerous  and  unpleasant  trip  to  Louisville  by  way 
of  Cumberland  Gap — Reception  at  Lexington — Railroad  com 
munication  opened  with  Chattanooga — The  rear  of  his  lines  per 
fectly  safe 449 

.CHAPTER  LLX. — AT  ST.  Louis. — PUBLIC  DINNER. 

His  quiet  and  modest  arrival  in  that  city — Invitations  to  a  public 
dinner  and  reply — The  reception — General  Grant's  speeches — 
Honorary  member  of  the  Western  Sanitary  Commission 455 

CHAPTER  LX. — His  PERSONAL  APPEARANCE  AND  CHARACTER. 

In  battle  and  at  home — Kindness  of  heart — Abnegation  of  self — 
Appreciation  of  others — Modesty 463 

APPENDIX. 

Battle  of  Fredericktown — Battle  of  Belmont,  Mo. — Capture  of  Fort 
Henry,  Tenn. — Cspture  of  Fort  Donelson — General  Grant's  Offi 
cial  Report — Battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing  and  Major-General 
Grant — Capitulation  of  Yicksburg. 


GENERAL  GRANT  AND  HIS  CAMPAIGNS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


No  military  man  of  modern  times  has  accomplished  as 
much,  with  so  little  noise,  as  he  of  whom  this  narrative  is 
written.  From  his  earliest  history  down  to  the  present  time, 
his  works  and  not  his  words  have  always  spoken  for  him. 
Whenever  he  intended  to  do  any  thing  of  importance  he 
would  ask  for,  and  listen  to,  the  counsels  of  others,  nnd,  if 
good,  adopt  their  plans,  giving  them  the  credit,  if  successful, 
and  taking  the  blame  upon  himself  if  failure  should  ensue. 
He  was  never  guilty  of  petty  oppressions — such  as  many  in 
office  practise,  to  show  they  possess  a  power,  which,  in  point 
of  fact,  they  never  know  how  to  wield — nor  did  he  ever  find 
it  necessary  or  politic  to  push  himself  into  notoriety.  And 
yet  there  is  no  one  living  who  possesses  more  fame  and 
celebrity. 

Major-General  Ulysses  S.  Grant,*  of  the  United  States 

*  The  second  initial  of  General  Grant's  name  has  thus  been  accounted 
for,  on  the  authority  of  General  William  T.  Sherman,  who  is  a  warm 
admirer  of  that  officer.  He  is  reported  to  have  stated  that  General 
Grant's  baptismal  name  was  Hiram  Ulysses,  and  he  bore  that  appella 
tion  until  he  was  appointed  a  cadet  at  West  Point  General  Hamer,  who 


14  GENERAL   GRANT 

regular  army,  the  victorious  commander  of  the  principal 
portion  of  the  Union  forces  in  the  West,  and  hero  of  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Vicksburg,  and  Chattanooga,  was  born 
at  Mount  Pleasant,  better  known  as  Point  Pleasant,*  Cler- 
mont  county,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  on  the  27th  day  of 
April,  1822.  Point  Pleasant  is  a  post  village  of  the  county, 
and  is  situated  on  the  Ohio  River,  about  twenty-five  miles 
above  Cincinnati.  Clermont  county  is  in  the  southwestern 
part  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  has  an  area  of  four  hundred 
and  sixty-two  square  miles,  or  295,680  acres.  The  Ohio 
River  forms  the  county  boundary  on  the  southwest,  and  the 
Little  Miami  River  runs  along  its  western  lines.  The  land 
of  the  county  is  well  drained  by  the  east  fork  of  the  Little 
Miami  River,  into  which  the  creeks  mostly  run.  The  sur 
face  of  the  country  is  of  a  rolling  character,  and  is  quite 
hilly  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Ohio  River.  The  soil  generally 
is  of  a  rich  nature,  and  the  surface  rock  is  formed  of  the 

nominated  him  for  the  cadetship,  by  some  means  got  his  name  mixed 
up  with  that  of  his  brother.  He  was,  therefore,  appointed  as  "Ulysses 
Sydney  Grant,"  and  that  name,  once  so  recorded  on  the  books  of  the 
Military  Academy,  could  not  be  changed.  He  was  baptized  into  the  mili 
tary  school  as  U.  S.  Grant,  and  he  has  ever  since  been  thus  designated. 
*  This  fact  has  been  disputed  by  several  of  the  newspapers  of  Scot 
land,  Great  Britain.  One  journal,  the  Montrose  Standard,  asserts  that 
General  Grant  is  a  native  of  Kirriemuir,  in  that  county ;  that  his  father 
had  once  been  grieve  on  Kinordine,  then  farmer  of  Ballhall,  and  latterly 
a  manufacturer  in  Kirriemuir.  It  further  states  that  young  Grant, 
having  a  military  spirit,  disdained  the  humble  life  of  his  father,  and 
entered  the  British  army  as  a  private  in  the  Life  Guards.  But  finding 
the  road  to  fame  could  not  be  travelled  with  ease  on  the  horse  of  one 
belonging  to  the  ranks,  he  deserted,  and  left  for  parts  unknown,  which, 
as  the  Standard  asserts,  has  turned  out  to  be  America.  The  reader  will 
see  the  fallacy  of  this  assertion  as  he  pursues  the  course  of  our  narra 
tive  ;  it  being  only  necessary  to  state  in  this  note  that  no  private  is 
admitted  into  the  ranks  of  the  British  Life  Guards  that  is  under  six  feet  in 
height,  or  less  than  eighteen  years  of  age. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  15 

blue  limestone.  A  railroad  now  passes  along  its  northern 
border,  some  distance  from  Grant's  birthplace ;  but  at  the 
time  when  that  general  entered  upon  his  career,  the  iron 
tramway  was  entirely  unknown  in  that  region  of  country. 
During  the  year  1823,  his  parents,  who  were  Scotch 
settlers,  found  it  necessary  to  change  their  residence,  and 
removed  to  Georgetown,  a  post  village  of  Pleasant  town 
ship,  and  capital  of  Brown  county,  Ohio.  This  village  is 
situated  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  farming  district,  and  is 
located  at  about  seven  miles  from  the  Ohio  River.  Here 
young  Grant  spent  his  early  days,  and  obtained  the  rudi 
ments  of  his  education  at  the  ordinary  village  school. 
While  at  school  the  embryo  conqueror  did  not  betray 
any  remarkable  talent  for  learning — that  is,  he  was  not  con 
sidered  a  "brilliant  lad."  He  was  slow  in  acquiring 
knowledge  ;  but  such  was  his  determination,  that  he  would 
never  give  up  his  task  until  he  had  mastered  it,  and,  when 
once  impressed  upon  his  mind,  he  seemed  never  to  forget 
what  he  had  learned.  On  one  occasion  he  had  a  difficult 
piece  of  work  placed  before  him  by  his  teacher,  and  it 
seemed  to  puzzle  poor  Grant's  brains  more  than  any  of  his 
preceding  studies. 

"  You  can't  master  that  task,"  remarked  one  of  his  school 
fellows. 

"  Can't  ?"  returned  Grant,  "  what  does  that  mean  ?" 
"  Well,  it  means  that — that  you  can't,  there." 
Grant  took  up  the  old  dictionary  that  was  in  constant 
use  in  the  school,  and  searched  through  it ;  but  could  not 
find  the  word.     It  seemed  to  puzzle  him,  as  to  its  definition, 
far  more  than  his  task  had  done.     At  last  he  determined 
to  go  to  his   teacher,  to   whom  he  made   the  following 
remarks : 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  can't  ?     The  word  is  not  in 
the  dictionary." 


16  GENERAL    GKANT 

The  teacher  explained  its  origin,  and  how  it  came  to  be 
corrupted  by  abbreviation ;  and  then,  wishing  to  improve 
the  opportunity  to  impress  it  on  the  young  scholar's  mind, 
he  called  all  his  school  around  him,  and  told  his  pupils 
the  anecdote.  He  then  wound  up  by  saying :  "  If,  in  the 
struggles  through  life,  any  person  should  assert  that  l  you 
can't'  do  any  thing  that  you  had  set  your  mind  upon 
accomplishing,  let  your  reply  be,  if  the  work  be  a  good 
and  lawful  one, '  The  word  can't  is  not  in  the  dictionary.' " 

Grant  conquered  his  studies,  and  never  forgot  the  inci 
dent.  In  after  years  he  often  replied  to  those  who  would 
assert  that  he  would  fail  in  accomplishing  his  object,  that 
"  the  word  can't  is  not  in  the  dictionary,"  and  pertinaciously 
would  he  pursue  that  object  until  he  had  brought  it  down. 

"While  Grant  was  at  school,  his  companions  used  to  tell 
a  story  about  a  horse  trade  that  he  was  once  engaged  in. 
It  appears  that  when  he  was  about  twelve  years  of  age, 
his  father  sent  him  to  purchase  a  horse  of  a  farmer,  named 
Ralston,  who  resided  some  short  distance  in  the  country. 
The  elder  Grant  wanted  the  horse,  but  still  desired  to  get 
it  as  cheaply  as  possible.  Before  starting,  the  old  gentle 
man  impressed  upon  young  Grant's  mind  that  fact  in  these 
words : 

"  Ulysses,  when  you  see  Mr.  Ralston,  tell  him  I  have 
sent  you  to  buy  his  horse,  and  offer  him  fifty  dollars  for  it. 
If  he  will  not  take  that,  offer  him  fifty-five  dollars,  and 
rather  than  you  should  come  away  without  the  horse,  you 
had  better  give  him  sixty  dollars." 

Off  started  the  boy,  and  in  due  course  of  time  arrived  at 
Ralston' s  farm-house.  He  had  carefully  studied  over  in 
his  mind  his  father's  instructions,  and  of  course  intended 
to  do  as  his  parent  had  told  him.  Mr.  Ralston,  however, 
threw  him  off  his  balance,  by  putting  the  following  direct, 
but  natural  question  to  him : 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  17 

"  How  much  did  your  father  tell  you  to  give  for  him  ?" 

Young  Ulysses  had  always  had  it  impressed  upon  his 
mind  by  his  mother,  that  the  truth  must  be  spoken  at  all 
times,  and  therefore  he  replied : 

"  Why,  father  told  me  to  offer  you  fifty  dollars  at  first ; 
and  if  that  would  not  do,  to  give  you  fifty-five  dollars ;  and 
rather  than  come  away  without  the  horse  I  was  to  pay 
sixty  dollars." 

Of  course,  Ralston  could  not  sell  the  horse  for  less  than 
sixty  dollars. 

"  I  am  sorry  for  that,"  returned  Grant,  "  for,  on  looking 
at  the  horse,  I  have  determined  not  to  give  more  than 
fifty  dollars  for  it,  although  father  said  I  might  give  sixty. 
You  may  take  fifty  if  you  like,  or  you  may  keep  the 
horse." 

Ulysses  rode  the  horse  home. 

Young  Grant  had  been  brought  up  to  revere  and  esteem 
the  character  of  Washington  as  the  redeemer  of  his  country, 
and  so  great  an  impression  did  the  teachings  of  his  friends 
have  upon  him,  that,  even  as  a  boy,  he  would  never  allow 
that  name  or  memory  to  be  insulted  in  his  presence. 

It  so  happened  that  the  brother  of  General  Grant's  father 
had  settled  in  Canada,  and  was  impressed  with  that  strong 
British  antipathy  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States, 
so  characteristic  of  the  people  of  that  province.  Notwith 
standing  this  fact,  the  Canadian  Grant  did  not  object  to 
send  his  son  John  to  the  same  school  where  young  Ulysses 
was  studying,  so  that  he  might  be  able  to  gain  a  better 
education  than  he  could  at  that  time  obtain  in  Canada. 

John  had  been  brought  up  with  the  same  feelings  as  his 
parents,  and  it  was  very  natural  for  him  occasionally  to 
loosen  his  tongue  in  a  disparaging  manner  upon  American 
affairs,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  the  "  old  country." 
While  it  was  confined  to  remarks  about  Great  Britain,  young 


18  GENERAL   GRANT 

Grant  would  listen,  and  argue  all  in  good  part ;  but,  on  one 
occasion  the  following  conversation  ensued,  after  one  of 
their  debates  on  the  merits  of  the  two  styles  of  government, 
the  love  of  country,  and  duty  to  rulers. 

"Ulysses,"  said  John,  "you  talk  a  great  deal  about 
Washington.  He  was  nothing  better  than  a  rebel.  He 
fought  against  his  king." 

"  Now,  look  here,  Jack,"  returned  Grant,  quickly,  "  you 
must  stop  that,  or  I  will  give  you  a  thrashing.  Mother 
says  I  must  not  fight,  but  must  forgive  my  enemies.  You 
may  abuse  me  as  much  as  you  please ;  but  if  you  abuse 
Washington,  I'll  off  coat  and  let  into  you,  if  you  were  ten 
times  my  cousin,  and  then  mother  may  afterwards  whip 
me  as  much  as  she  likes." 

Jack  was  determined  not  to  give  way  in  his  assertion, 
and  Grant  was  as  firm  in  his  defence  of  his  country's  idol, 
until,  at  last,  from  words,  they  came  to  hard  blows. 

During  the  contest,  Jack  got  the  worst  of  it,  but  still 
Grant  did  not  escape  scot  free — his  face  betraying  evi 
dences  of  the  struggle — and  when  he  reached  his  home 
his  mother  cried  out : 

"  So,  young  man,  you  have  been  fighting,  notwithstanding 
all  I  have  said  to  you  about  it !" 

Ulysses  explained  the  whole  of  the  circumstances  of  the 
case  in  a  straightforward  manner,  without  either  addition 
or  detraction.  The  good  and  worthy  matron,  with  the 
determination  that  her  son  should  respect  her  admonitions, 
began  making  preparations  to  give  young  Ulysses  the 
promised  castigation,  when  her  husband  interfered  to 
prevent  the  boy  being  flogged : 

"  I  tell  thee  what  it  is,  wife,"  said  the  old  gentleman, 
"  the  boy  does  not  deserve  to  be  punished.  He  has  only 
stood  up  for  his  country,  and  he,  that,  as  a  boy,  will  stand 
up  and  fight  in  defence  of  the  honor  and  integrity  of  the 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  19 

name  of  Washington,  will  rise,  if  God  spares  his  life,  to  be 
a  man  and  a  Christian  too."  * 

*  Many  years  after  this  little  contre-temps  the  cousins  met  in  Canada, 
and  suddenly  Jack,  then  a  fine-looking  man,  broke  out  with  : 

;<  I  say,  U.  S.,  do  you  remember  the  trashing  you  gave  me  at  school  for 
calling  Washington  a  rebel  ?" 

11  Yes,"  replied  Grant,  laughing,  "  and  I  will  do  it  again  under  the  same 
circumstances." 


20  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  II. 

AT  WEST   POINT. 

THE  ordinary  education  of  common  schools  may  fit  out 
youth  for  the  general  routine  duties  of  life ;  but  higher 
institutions  are  necessary  to  complete  the  studies  of  those 
who  intend  to  employ  themselves  in  after-life  in  the  pursuits 
of  war,  science,  art,  or  literature.  Young  Grant,  having 
betrayed  evidences  of  his  desire  to  become  a  soldier, 
obtained  an  admission  into  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point,  through  the  influence  of  the  late 
General  Thomas  L.  Hamer,  then  a  member  of  Congress, 
from  his  native  State  of  Ohio.  He  entered  the  institution 
as  a  cadet,  during  the  year  1839,  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years,  and  steadily  progressed  in  his  studies,  especially  in 
the  science  of  mathematics.  His  progress  was  of  the  slow 
and  sure  kind,  holding  firmly  on  to  all  he  acquired,  but  having 
nothing  of  that  dashing  brilliancy  which  is  thought  so  much 
of  by  collegiates.  He  did  not,  like  many,  only  study  to 
pass  the  examiner,  and  then  forget  what  he  had  learned. 
Even  if  his  seat  was  below  those  of  some  others  in  his 
classes,  at  the  end  of  each  year  it  would  be  found  that  his 
education  was  of  a  far  more  solid  and  substantial  nature 
than  that  of  several  of  his  class-mates  who  stood  higher  in 


When  the  young  cadet  entered  the  West  Point  Institu 
tion,  he  had  to  submit  to  a  thorough  physical  and  mental 
examination,to  see  whether  he  was  fit  to  enter  upon  the  life 
of  a  soldier,  and  was  possessed  of  the  proper  mental  talents, 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  21 

to  make  him  competent  to  be  trained  as  an  officer.  He 
passed  the  examination  successfully  and  was  admitted  into 
the  fourth  class,  where  his  studies  consisted  of  mathematics, 
English  grammar,  including  etymological  and  rhetorical 
exercises,  composition,  declamation,  geography  of  the 
United  States,  French,  and  the  use  of  small  arms.  In  the 
camp,  for  the  cadets  have  to  live  part  of  the  summer 
months  in  tents  as  if  on  the  field,  he  ranked  as  a  private  of 
the  battalion,  and  had  to  submit  to  all  the  inconveniences 
that  privates  in  camp  have  to  suffer. 

During  the  year  1840  he  was  advanced  into  the  third 
class  of  the  West  Point  Academy.  Here  he  ranked  as 
corporal  hi  the  cadet  battalion,  and  his  studies  consisted  of 
higher  mathematics,  French,  drawing,  and  the  duties  of  a 
cavalry  soldier.  In  this  last  study  he  received  practical 
instruction  for  sixteen  weeks,  so  as  to  make  him  a  good 
horseman.  He  progressed  steadily,  but  not  rapidly.  He 
however  did  not  fall  back  from  any  advance  he  had  made, 
and  if  he  only  gained  one  seat  at  a  time,  he  held  on  to 
that,  with  the  intention  of  never  again  going  below  the 
cadet  sitting  next  lower  in  his  class. 

Cadet  Grant,  during  1841,  entered  the  second  class  of 
the  U.  S.  Military  School  at  West  Point,  obtaining  with  this 
change  the  rank  of  a  sergeant  of  cadets.  His  studies  now 
were  somewhat  more  laborious ;  but  still  Grant  persevered, 
and  gradually  mastered  them.  From  September,  1841,  to 
June,  1842,  he  was  engaged  in  the  study  of  natural  and 
experimental  philosophy,  chemistry,  and  drawing,  and 
in  receiving  practical  instruction  in  horsemanship.  During 
the  summer  months  he  was  again  encamped,  and  was  well 
drilled,  in  both  infantry  and  artillery  tactics.  He  passed 
out  of  this  class  with  credit. 

During  the  year  1842,  the  young  soldier  passed  into  the 
first  and  concluding  class  of  instruction  of  the  Military 


22  GENERAL   GRANT 

Academy.  In  this  class  he  ranked  as  a  commissioned  offi 
cer  of  cadets,  and  was  first  put  into  the  position  where  he 
could  leam  how  to  command  a  section,  troop,  or  company. 
This  is  generally  the  trying  position  for  the  cadet ;  for,  be 
ing  invested  with  a  little  brief  authority,  he  will  either  use 
it  with  credit  or  abuse  it.  Grant,  while  holding  this  posi 
tion,  set  forth  all  the  nobleness  of  his  nature.  He  was  no 
petty  tyrant,  nor  was  he  a  spy  upon  the  actions  of  those 
who  for  the  time  were  his  subordinates.  In  the  camp  he 
commanded  respect  for  his  position ;  but  out  of  camp  he 
was  still  nothing  more  than  a  fellow-cadet.  In  this  trait 
of  his  character,  he  was  always  liked  by  his  classmates, 
and  esteemed  by  those  whose  class  degree  was  below  him. 

Cadet  Grant  had  now  more  serious  duties  to  perform, 
and  studies  to  master.  From  September,  1842,  to  June, 
1843,  he  was  engaged  in  acquiring  the  knowledge  of  civil 
and  military  engineering,  and  from  the  1st  day  of  April 
to  the  15th  of  May,  1843,  he  received  practical  instruction 
in  this  branch  of  the  service.  While  encamped  previous 
to  September,  1842,  he  received  some  practical  lessons 
in  this  science,  and  during  the  whole  classical  year  he  was 
engaged  either  in  the  study  of  ethics,  constitutional  Jaw, 
international  law,  or  military  law,  or  in  perfecting  him 
self  in  horsemanship.  He  is  now  reputed  one  of  the  best 
riders  in  the  service,  not  being  easily  thrown. 

While  in  this  class,  he  also  endeavored  to  gain  a  knowl 
edge  of  the  science  of  mineralogy  and  geology,  and  of 
the  Spanish  language.  He  also  received  instruction  in 
ordnance,  gunnery,  and  cavalry  tactics,  which  are  es 
teemed  among  the  higher  branches  of  military  acquire 
ments.  He  passed  through  this  class  with  credit,  and 
graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  on  the  30th  day  of 
June,  1843,  with  thirty-eight  other  classmates,  he  standing 
No.  21,  or  about  the  middle  of  the  class.  He  had  now 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  23 

acquired  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  use  of  the  rifled 
musket,  the  field-piece,  mortar,  siege,  and  sea-coast  guns, 
small  sword  and  bayonet,  as  well  as  of  the  construction  of 
field-works,  and  the  fabrication  of  all  munitions  and  mate 
riel  of  war. 

The  school  companions  of  great  men  are  very  often  mixed 
up  with  their  after-life,  and  this  statement  is  the  more  appli 
cable  to  the  West  Point  cadets  who  graduate  in  the  same 
class.  Such  being  the  case,  it  may  be  a  matter  of  interest 
to  the  reader  to  know  who  were  General  Grant's  fellow- 
graduates,  and  what  their  relative  positions  were  at  the 
time  of  writing  this  narrative. 

The  cadet  who  graduated  first  in  the  class  was  William 
Benjamin  Franklin,  who  entered  the  Topographical  Engin 
eer  Corps ;  and  having  passed  through  a  series  of  adventures 
under  various  commanders,  was,  at  the  beginning  of  1864, 
the  general  commanding  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps,  in 
the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  under  General  Banks. 

The  names  of  the  next  three  graduates  do  not  now  appear 
in  the  Army  List  of  the  United  States. 

Wm.  F.  Raynolds  graduated  fifth  in  the  class,  entered 
the  infantry  service,  and  was  appointed  an  aid  on  the  staff 
of  General  Fremont,  commanding  the  Mountain  Depart 
ment,  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  from  the  31st  day  of 
March,  1862. 

The  next  graduate  was  Isaac  F.  Quimby.  He  had  en 
tered  the  artillery  service,  and  had  been  professor  at 
West  Point,  but  had  retired  to  civil  life.  The  Rebellion, 
however,  brought  him  from  his  retirement,  and  he  went  to 
the  field  at  the  head  of  a  regiment  of  New  York  volunteers. 
He  afterwards  became  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac. 

Roswell  S.  Ripley,  the  author  of  "  The  War  with  Mex 
ico,"  graduated  seventh ;  but  his  name  does  not  now  appear 


24  GENERAL    GRANT 

in  the  official  Army  Register  of  the  United  States,  as  ho 
had  attached  himself  to  the  rebel  cause. 

The  next  graduate  was  John  James  Peck,  who  entered 
the  artillery  service,  and  was,  on  January  1, 1864,  the  com 
mander  of  the  district  of  and  army  hi  North  Carolina,  which 
then  formed  a  portion  of  General  Butler's  Department. 

John  P.  John  stone,  the  daring  artillery  lieutenant  who 
fell  gallantly  at  Contreras,  Mexico,  was  the  next  graduate. 

General  Joseph  Jones  Reynolds  was  the  next  in  grade. 
This  officer  had  gained  great  credit  while  in  the  army,  as 
a  professor  of  sciences ;  but  had  resigned  some  time,  when 
the  Rebellion  broke  out.  He  was,  however,  in  1861,  again 
brought  forward  as  a  general  of  three  months  volunteers,  un 
der  General  McClellan,  in  Western  Virginia ;  was  afterwards 
commissioned  by  the  President ;  and  latterly  became  attached 
to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  He  served  on  the  staff  of 
the  general  commanding  that  army,  with  the  rank  of  major- 
general,  until  General  Grant  assumed  command  of  the  mili 
tary  division  embracing  the  Departments  of  Ohio,  Tennessee, 
and  Cumberland,  when  he  was  transferred  to  New  Orleans. 

The  eleventh  graduate  was  James  Allen  Hardie,  who, 
during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  became  an  assistant  ad 
jutant-general  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  with  the 
rank  of  colonel. 

Henry  F.  Clarke  graduated  twelfth,  entered  the  artillery 
service,  gained  brevets  in  Mexico,  and  became  chief  com 
missary  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  during  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 

Lieutenant  Booker,  the  next  in  grade,  died  while  in 
service  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  on  June  26,  1849. 

The  fourteenth  graduate  might  have  been  a  prominent 
officer  of  the  U.  S.  army,  had  he  not  deserted  the  cause  of 
his  country,  and  attached  himself  to  the  rebels.  He  had 
not  even  the  excuse  of  "  going  with  his  State,"  for  he  was 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  25 

a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  appointed  to  the  army 
from  that  State.  His  name  is  Samuel  G.  French,  major- 
general  of  the  rebel  army. 

The  next  graduate  was  Lieutenant  Theodore  L.  Chad- 
bourne,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma, 
on  May  9,  1846,  after  distinguishing  himself  for  his  brave 
ry  at  the  head  of  his  command. 

Christopher  Colon  Augur,  one  of  the  commanders  of  the 
Department  of  Washington,  and  major-general  of  volun 
teers,  was  the  next  in  grade. 

We  now  come  to  another  renegade.  Franklin  Gardner, 
a  native  of  New  York,  and  an  appointee  from  the  State 
of  Iowa,  graduated  seventeenth  in  General  Grant's  class. 
At  the  time  of  the  Rebellion  he  deserted  the  cause  of  the 
United  States  and  joined  the  rebels.  He  was  disgracefully 
dropped  from  the  rolls  of  the  U.  S.  army,  on  May  7,  1861, 
became  a  major-general  in  the  rebel  service,  and  had  to 
surrender  his  garrison  at  Port  Hudson,  July  9,  1863, 
through  the  reduction  of  Yicksburg  by  his  junior  gradu 
ate,  U.  S.  Grant. 

Lieutenant  George  Stevens,  who  was  drowned  in  the 
passage  of  the  Rio  Grande,  May  18,  1846,  was  the  next 
graduate. 

The-  nineteenth  graduate  was  Edmund  B.  Holloway,  of 
Kentucky,  who  obtained  a  brevet  at  Contreras,  and  was  a 
captain  of  infantry  in  the  U.  S.  regular  army  at  the  com 
mencement  of  the  Rebellion.  Although  his  State  remained 
in  the  Union,  he  threw  up  his  commission  on  May  14, 1861, 
and  joined  the  rebels. 

The  graduate  that  immediately  preceded  General  Grant 
was  Lieutenant  Lewis  Neill,  who  died  on  January  13, 1850, 
while  in  service  at  Fort  Croghan,  Texas. 

Joseph  H.  Potter,  of  New  Hampshire,  graduated  next 
after  the  hero  of  Vicksburg.  During  the  War  of  the  Re- 
2 


26  GENERAL    GRANT 

bellion  he  became  a  colonel  of  volunteers,  retaining  his 
rank  as  captain  in  the  regular  army. 

Lieutenant  Robert  Hazlitt,  who  was  killed  in  the  storm 
ing  of  Monterey,  September  21, 1 846,  and  Lieutenant  Edwin 
Howe,  who  died  while  in  service  at  Fort  Leavenworth, 
March  31, 1850,  were  the  next  two  graduates. 

Lafayette  Boyer  Wood,  of  Virginia,  was  the  twenty-fifth 
graduate.  He  is  no  longer  connected  with  the  service, 
having  resigned  several  years  before  the  Rebellion. 

The  next  graduate  was  Charles  S.  Hamilton,  who  for 
some  time  commanded,  as  major-general  of  volunteers,  a 
district  under  General  Grant,  who  at  that  time  was  chief  of 
the  Department  of  the  Tennessee. 

Captain  Win.  K.  Van  Bokkelen,  of  New  York,  who  was 
cashiered  for  rebel  proclivities,  on  May  8,  1861,  was  the 
next  graduate,  and  was  followed  by  Alfred  St.  Amand 
Crozet,  of  New  York,  who  had  resigned  the  service  several 
years  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war,  and  Lieu 
tenant  Charles  E.  James,  who  died  at  Sonoma,  Cal.,  on 
June  8,  1849. 

The  thirtieth  graduate  was  the  gallant  General  Frederick 
Steele,  who  participated  in  the  Vicksburg  and  Mississippi 
campaigns,  as  division  and  corps  commander  under  General 
Grant,  and  afterwards  commanded  the  Army  of  Arkan 
sas. 

The  next  graduate  was  Captain  Henry  R.  Selden,  of 
Vermont,  and  of  the  Fifth  U.  S.  Infantry. 

General  Rufus  Ingalls,  quartermaster-general  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  graduated  No.  32,  and  entered  the 
mounted  rifle  regiment,  but  was  found  more  valuable 
in  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  in  which  he  held  the 
rank  of  major  from  January  12,  1862,  with  a  local  rank  of 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers  from  May  23,  1863. 

Major  Frederick  T.  Dent,  of  the  Fourth  U.  S.  Infantry, 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  27 

and  Major  J.  C.  McFerran,  of  the  Quartermaster's  De 
partment,  were  the  next  two  graduates. 

The  thirty-fifth  graduate  was  General  Henry  Moses 
Judah,  who  commanded  a  division  of  the  Twenty-Third 
Army  Corps  during  its  operations  after  the  rebel  cavalry 
general,  John  H.  Morgan,  and  in  East  Tennessee,  during 
the  fall  of  1863. 

The  remaining  four  graduates  were  Gorman  Elting,  who 
resigned  the  service  October  29,  1846 ;  Cave  J.  Couts, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Conven 
tion  of  California  during  the  year  1849 ;  Charles  G.  Mer 
chant,  of  NQW  York ;  and  George  C.  McClelland,  of  Penn 
sylvania,  no  one  of  whom  is  now  connected  with  the 
United  States  Service. 

It  is  very  interesting  to  look  over  the  above  list  to  see 
how  the  twenty-first  graduate  has  outstripped  all  his 
seniors  in  grade,  showing  plainly  that  true  talent  will  ulti 
mately  make  its  way,  no  matter  how  modest  the  possessor 
may  be,  and  notwithstanding  all  the  opposition  that  may 
be  placed  in  its  way  by  others.  It  will  be  seen  that  General 
Grant  now  commands  a  larger  force  and  a  greater  extent 
of  country  than  all  his  thirty-eight  classmates  put  together, 
and  has  risen  higher  in  the  military  scale  than  any  in  his 
class,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  did  not  seem  to 
possess  the  same  amount  of  apparent  dashing  ability. 

His  Scotch  blood,  however,  gave  him  a  pertinacity  of 
character  that  enabled  him  to  push  forward  against  all  dif 
ficulties,  and  this  stubborn  perseverance  even  in  the  midst 
of  disappointments  has  characterized  the  whole  of  his  life, 
both  civil  and  military.  When,  however,  he  found  he  was 
on  the  right  track  he  kept  to  it  without  turning  aside  for 
even  a  moment,  and  so  ultimately  became  successful. 

The  following  incident  occurred  while  young  Grant  was 
serving  his  first  year  as  a  cadet  of  the  Military  Academy 


28  GENERAL    GRANT 

at  West  Point,  and  is  a  very  good  illustration  of  the 
bravery  of  his  nature : 

When  admitted  into  the  institution,  he,  as  before  men 
tioned,  merely  ranked  as  a  private,  and  was  so  placed 
in  one  of  the  companies  in  the  cadet  battalion.  As  a 
novice,  he  became  the  subject  of  many  a  practical  joke,  as 
it  is  the  usual  custom  in  the  Military  Academy  for  the 
older  scholars  to  torment  the  latest  arrivals  until  still 
greener  ones  should  make  their  appearance. 

After  enduring  several  of  these  jokes  with  great  patience, 
and  without  a  show  of  resentment,  Grant,  one  day,  deter 
mined  he  would  put  a  stop  to  their  fun,  and  have  peace  for 
himself.  The  next  occasion  when  a  joke  was  attempted 
upon  him,  was  when  the  company  was  on  a  mock  parade. 
Grant  then  stepped  out  of  the  ranks,  threw  off  his  jacket, 
and  said : 

"  Now,  Captain,  drop  your  rank  for  a  few  minutes  and 
stand  up  fair  and  square ;  and  we'll  soon  see  who  is  the 
best  man." 

The  captain  accepted  the  challenge,  and  before  long  was 
soundly  whipped. 

"  It  is  now  your  turn,  Lieutenant,"  said  Grant,  "  to  re 
venge  the  captain,  if  you  can!" 

At  it  they  went,  and  the  second  officer  shared  the 
fate  of  his  senior.  Then,  turning  to  his  companions  in  the 
line,  he  inquired : 

"Who  is  next?  I  want  peace,  and  I  am  willing  to 
fight  all  the  company,  one  by  one,  to  gain  that  peace.  I 
have  no  ill-will  against  any  one  ;  but  I  must  and  will  have 
peace  in  the  future." 

At  this  wholesale  exhibition  of  pluck,  his  companions 
raised  a  shout  that  could  have  been  heard  for  a  very  great 
distance,  and  then  all  parties  came  forward  and  shook 
Grant  by  the  hand. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  29 

"  You'll  do,"  said  the  captain,  who  had  been  so  soundly 
thrashed. 

"  We  won't  bother  you  any  more,"  was  the  general  re 
mark  of  his  companions. 

"  Grant's  a  plucky  fellow,  and  will  make  his  way,"  said 
another. 

And  in  the  midst  of  similar  expressions  the  victorious 
young  cadet  put  on  his  coat,  took  his  place  in  the  ranks, 
and  was  never  again  troubled  with  practical  jokes.  In 
honor  of  the  occasion,  his  companions  gave  him  the  nom 
deplume  of  "Company  Grant,"  by  which  he  was  known 
to  the  day  of  his  entering  the  army,  and  even  afterwards. 


30  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  HI. 

ENTERS  THE  AKMY. MEXICAN  WAR. 

WHEN  a  youth  enters  the  West  Point  Military  Academy 
he  takes  upon  himself  obligations  to  serve  a  certain  time 
in  the  U.  S.  Regular  Army,  to  finish  the  eight  years — the 
term  for  which  he  is  sworn  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  at  the  time  he  receives  his  cadet  warrant. 

Cadet  Grant,  therefore,  when  he  graduated,  at  once 
entered  the  United  States  army  as  a  brevet  second-lieu 
tenant  of  infantry.  The  date  at  which  this  brevet  rank 
was  awarded  to  him  was  that  of  the  succeeding  day  to 
his  graduation,  viz.,  July  1,  1843. 

At  the  time  Grant  entered  the  army,  the  United  States 
were  at  peace  with  all  the  world,  and  very  few  vacancies 
then  occurred  in  the  rolls  of  army  officers.  He  was,  there 
fore,  attached  as  a  supernumerary  lieutenant  to  the  Fourth 
Regiment  of  Regular  United  States  Infantry,  then  sta 
tioned  on  the  frontier  in  Missouri  and  Missouri  Territory, 
and  engaged  in  keeping  down  the  Indian  tribes,  that  at 
that  time  were  very  annoying  and  dangerous  to  the  early 
settlers  of  that  region,  which,  twenty  years  ago,  was  almost 
a  wilderness,  except  on  the  immediate  banks  of  the  great 
rivers. 

While  in  this  part  of  the  West,  Brevet  Second-Lieu 
tenant  Grant  assisted  his  military  companions  in  superin 
tending  the  opening  up  of  the  country,  as  well  as  in  main 
taining  the  peace  and  safety  of  those  who  had  settled 
and  were  settling  in  that  region. 

The  young  officer  had  not  been  -many  months  in  the 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  81 

West  before  he  was  ordered,  with  his  regiment,  into  Texas, 
to  join  the  army  of  General  Taylor,  who  had  been  appoint 
ed  to  the  command  of  the  United  States  troops  then  con 
centrating  in  that  republic.  This  army  occupation  was 
made  during  the  year  1845.  The  Mexicans  and  Americans 
had  for  some  time  held  an  imaginary  line  of  boundary  with 
in  what  is  now  known  as  the  State  of  Texas.  As  all  ima 
ginary  lines  become  more  or  less  subjects  of  dispute,  it  was 
quite  natural  that  two  armies  of  distinct  races,  and  with 
great  personal  animosities  daily  arising,  should  at  last  find, 
or  imagine  they  had  found,  the  other  overstepping  its 
proper  limits,  and,  as  a  natural  sequel,  quarrels  would  take 
place,  supposed  wrongs  would  have  to  be  revenged,  and 
bloodshed  would  be  the  ultimate  result.  Such  was  cer 
tainly  the  origin  of  the  actual  hostilities  which  ripened 
into  the  American  war  with  Mexico. 

Corpus  Christi,  an  important  port  on  the  Texan  shore, 
was  soon  taken  possession  of  by  the  Americans  as  a  base  of 
operations,  and  Grant  was  stationed  at  this  place  when  he 
received  his  commission  as  full  second  lieutenant  of  in 
fantry.  This  commission  was  dated  from  the  30th  day  of 
September,  1845,  and  was  made  out  for  a  vacancy  in  the 
Seventh  Regiment  of  U.  S.  Regular  Infantry.  He  had, 
however,  become  so  attached  to  the  members  of  the 
Fourth  Regiment,  that  a  request  was  sent  to  Washington 
to  allow  him  to  be  retained  with  that  force,  and  in  the  fol 
lowing  November  a  commission  was  handed  to  him, 
appointing  him  a  full  second  lieutenant  in  the  Fourth 
Regiment  of  U.  S.  Regular  Infantry. 

Some  time  before  the  declaration  by  Congress  of  a  war 
with  Mexico,  the  struggle  commenced  in  Texas.  The 
primary  cause  of  the  actual  commencement  of  hostilities 
was  a  trifle ;  but  the  spark  was  no  sooner  applied  than  the 
conflagration  began  to  make  its  rapid  way,  drawing  the 


32  GENEKAL    GEANT 

whole  within  its  fearful  grasp.  Several  petty  struggles 
ensued,  until  at  last  General  Taylor  learned  that  an  immense 
force  of  Mexicans  were  marching  with  -the  intention  of 
crossing  the  Rio  Grande  into  Texas,  to  drive  the  Americans 
from  that  region  of  territory.  Promptly  General  Taylor 
moved;  but,  in  the  mean  time,  Fort  Brown,  on  the  Texas 
shore  of  the  Rio  Grande,  was  besieged.  The  gallant. 
American  garrison  defended  the  position  with  great 
bravery ;  but,  unless  relief  could  have  been  sent  them,  it 
must  have  fallen.  To  relieve  the  besieged  was  General 
Taylor's  duty ;  and,  under  his  command,  Lieutenant  Grant 
marched  to  his  first  battle-ground. 

On  the  8th  day  of  May,  1846,  he  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Palo  Alto,  and,  although  not  mentioned  in  the  official 
reports,  he  is  spoken  of  by  his  companions  to  have  acted 
with  gallantry ;  several  officers  of  his  regiment  obtaining 
brevets  for  their  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct.  With 
his  characteristic  modesty,  the  young  lieutenant  kept  him 
self  in  the  back-ground,  while  his  seniors  gained  the  reward. 

The  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  was  fought  the  next 
day,  and  here  again  Lieutenant  Grant  acted  with  praise 
worthy  gallantry.  As  before,  his  seniors  in  the  regiment 
gained  the  brevets,  while  he  quietly  remained  behind, 
perfectly  satisfied  that  he  had  done  his  duty,  and  that  time 
would  ultimately  bring  to  him  his  recompense. 

Fort  Brown  was  relieved,  and  the  Mexicans  felt  the 
weight  of  its  metal  as  they,  in  disorder,  rushed  across  the 
Rio  Grande  in  full  retreat  from  the  battle  so  bravely  fought 
and  won  by  General  Taylor,  on  May  9,  1846. 

The  American  army  then  advanced  to  and  up  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  Texas  was  relieved  from  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Mexicans.  Lieutenant  Grant  also  participated  in  the 
subsequent  brilliant  operations  of  General  Taylor  along 
the  banks  of  that  historic  stream,  and  advanced  into  ths 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  33 

Mexican  territory,  at  a  point  over  a  hundred  miles  above 
the  mouth  of  the  river,  in  the  Republic  of  New  Leon. 

On  the  23d  of  September,  1846,  Lieutenant  Grant  took 
part  in  the  splendid  operation  of  General  Taylor  against 
Monterey,  which  place  the  Mexicans  had  strongly  fortified. 
In  these  works  were  posted  a  far  superior  force  of  Mexicans ; 
but  General  Taylor  was  determined  to  drive  them  out  of 
their  intrenchments,  and  succeeded. 

The  American  campaign  in  Mexico  was  now  about  to 
assume  a  different  phase  of  character.  War  had  been 
regularly  declared,  and  a  systeinized  plan  of  attack  was 
made  out.  The  advance  by  the  northern  route  was  to  be 
made  secondary  to  the  grand  movement  by  way  of  Vera 
Cruz  ;  and  the  army  and  navy,  as  in  the  present  war,  were 
both  to  be  brought  into  active  use. 

After  General  Scott  had  effected  a  landing  above  Vera 
Cruz,  the  forces  on  the  Rio  Grande  were  in  part  brought 
down  that  river  to  co-operate  with  him;  and  among  the 
others  was  the  Fourth  Infantry.  Lieutenant  Grant,  follow 
ing  the  fortunes  of  his  regiment,  was,  with  it,  transferred 
to  the  command  under  that  general,  and  participated  in  the 
siege  operations  which  finally  caused  the  surrender  of  Vera 
Cruz,  on  the  29th  day  of  March,  1847. 

It  now  began  to  be  perceived  by  his  commanding  officers, 
that  Lieutenant  Grant  possessed  some  talents  more  than 
ordinary,  and  during  the  early  part  of  April,  when  the 
army  was  preparing  to  advance  into  the  interior  of  the 
Mexican  country,  Lieutenant  Grant  was  appointed  the 
quartermaster  of  his  regiment,  a  post  both  honorable  and 
of  vital  importance  to  an  army  in  a  strange  country — the 
home  of  an  enemy.  With  this  position  he  participated  in 
the  whole  of  the  remainder  of  the  Mexican  campaign, 
to  the  occupation,  by  the  United  States  forces,  of  the 
capital. 


34  GENERAL    GRANT 

It  was  while  holding  this  staff  appointment  that  Lieu 
tenant  Grant's  brave  disposition  came  more  prominently 
before  his  commanding  officers.  His  position  in  the  army 
did  not  of  necessity  call  upon  him  to  enter  into  the  actual 
strife ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  his  nature  would  not  allow  of 
his  keeping  out  of  it,  when  he  found  that  his  services  were 
needed  in  the  field.  At  the  battle  of  Molino  del  Key,  on 
the  8th  of  September,  1847,  he  behaved  with  such  distin 
guished  gallantry  and  merit,  that  he  was  appointed  on  the 
field  a  first-lieutenant,  to  date  from  the  day  of  that  battle. 
Congress  afterwards  wished  to  confirm  the  appointment  as 
a  mere  brevet,  but  Grant  declined  to  accept  it  under  such 
circumstances. 

At  the  battle  of  Chapultepec,  on  the  13th  day  of  Sep 
tember,  1847,  Lieutenant  Grant  behaved  with  the  most 
distinguished  gallantry,*  and  also  during  the  subsequent 

*  In  the  report  of  Captain  Horace  Brooks,  Second  Artillery,  of  the  battle 
of  Chapultepec,  he  says: 

"  I  succeeded  in  reaching  the  fort  with  a  few  men.  Here  Lieutenant 
U.  S.  Grant,  and  a  few  more  men  of  the  Fourth  Infantry  found  me,  and, 
by  a  joint  movement,  after  an  obstinate  resistance,  a  strong  field-work 
was  carried,  and  the  enemy's  right  was  completely  turned." 

The  report  of  Major  Francis  Lee,  commanding  the  Fourth  Infantry,  of 
the  battle  of  Chapultepec,  says : 

"At  the  first  barrier  the  enemy  was  in  strong  force,  which  rendered 
it  necessary  to  advance  with  caution.  This  was  done,  and  when  the 
head  of  the  battalion  was  within  short  musket  range  of  the  barrier, 
Lieutenant  Grant,  Fourth  Infantry,  and  Captain  Brooks,  Second  Artillery, 
with  a  few  men  of  their  respective,  regiments,  by  a  handsome  movement 
to  the  left,  turned  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy,  and  the  barrier  was 
carried.  *  *  *  Second-Lieutenant  Grant  behaved  with  distinguished 
gallantry  on  the  13th  and  14th."  *  *  * 

The  report  of  Brevet  Colonel  John  Garland,  commanding  the  First 
Brigade,  of  the  battle  of  Chapultepec,  says: 

"  The  rear  of  the  enemy  had  made  a  stand  behind  a  breastwork,  from 
which  they  were  driven  by  detachments  of  the  Second  Artillery,  under 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  35 

battles,  which  only  ceased  with  the  final  surrender  of  the 
city  of  Mexico. 

Lieutenant  Grant  received  the  brevet  of  captain  of  the 
regular  army,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the 
battle  of  Chapultepec,  his  rank  to  date  from  September  13, 
1847,  the  day  of  that  battle.  The  brevet  was  awarded  to 
him  in  1849  ;  the  nomination  sent  into  Congress  during 
the  session  of  1849-50,  and  confirmed  during  the  executive 
session  of  1850. 

On  the  16th  day  of  September,  1847,  the  brave  second 
lieutenant  was  commissioned  a  first-lieutenant  in  the 
Fourth  Regiment  of  Regular  Infantry,  still  holding  his  bre 
vet  rank  of  captain  of  three  days  prior  date. 

The  following  were  the  officers  of  the  Fourth  Regiment 
of  United  States  Regular  Infantry  during  the  war  with 
Mexico : 

LlEUTEJSTANT-COLONEL 

John  Garland,  who  participated  in  the  whole  of  the  Mexican  war,  and 
commanded  a  brigade,  received  a  brevet  colonelcy  from  Resaca  de  la 
Palma,  and  a  brevet  as  brigadier-general  from  Churubusco.  He  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  capture  of  the  city  of  Mexico;  was  made 
colonel  of  the  Eighth  Regular  Infantry  Regiment  in  May,  1849,  and  died 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  June  5,  1861. 

Captain  Brooks,  and  the  Fourth  Infantry,  under  Lieutenant  Grant,  sup 
ported  by  other  regiments  of  the  division,  after  a  short  but  sharp  conflict. 
*  *  I  recognized  the  command  as  it  came  up,  mounted  a  howitzer  on 
the  top  of  a  convent,  which,  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant  Grant, 
quartermaster  of  the  Fourth  Infantry,  and  Lieutenant  Lendrum,  Third 
Artillery,  annoyed  the  enemy  considerably.  *  *  *  I  must  not  omit 
to  call  attention  to  Lieutenant  Grant,  Fourth  Infantry,  who  acquitted 
himself  most  nobly,  upon  several  occasions,  under  my  own  observation." 

In  this  particular  mention  of  officers  for  gallantry  and  good  conduct, 
besides  the  officers  of  his  own  staff,  General  Garland  names  but  one  other 
officer,  besides  Lieutenant  Grant,  out  of  his  whole  brigade. 

General  Worth's  report,  September  16th,  also  speaks  highly  of  Lieu 
tenant  Grant. 


36  GENERAL,  GRANT 

MAJOR 

Francis  Lee,  who  had  entered  upon  the  campaign  as  captain  in  the 
Seventh  Reg't  U.  S.  Regular  Infantry,  was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel 
from  Churubusco,  and  colonel  from  El  Molino  del  Rey.  He  became 
colonel  of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Regular  Infantry,  October  18,  1855, 
and  died  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  January  19,  1859. 

CAPTAINS. 

George  "W.  Allen  (who  had  beon  brevetted  major  from  Florida)  was 
further  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  He  was 
next  promoted  to  be  a  major  of  the  Second  Regiment  Regular  Infantry, 
and  died  at  Yera  Cruz,  on  March  15,  1848. 

John  Page  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  first  battle,  Palo  Alto,  and 
died  on  the  12th  of  July,  1846. 

William  M.  Graham  (who  had  been  brevetted  major  from  Florida) 
continued  with  the  regiment  until  February,  1847 ;  was  promoted  major 
of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Regular  Infantry,  on  February  16,  1847,  and 
afterwards  to  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Eleventh  U.  S.  Infantry,  a 
regiment  especially  organized  for  the  Mexican  war.  He  was  several 
times  wounded  during  the  campaign,  and  was  finally  killed  at  El  Molino 
del  Rey,  on  September  8,  1847. 

Pitcairn  Morrison  was  brevetted  major  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  be 
came  major  of  the  Eighth  Regiment  of  U.  S.  Infantry,  on  September  26, 
1847 ;  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Seventh  Regular  Infantry,  on  June  9» 
1853,  and  colonel  of  the  Eighth  Regular  Infantry,  June  6,  1861,  with 
which  rank  he  retired  from  the  service  during  the  fall  of  1863. 

George  A.  McCall,  was  brevetted  major  and  lieutenant-colonel  from 
Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  afterwards  appointed  to  the  Adjutant-General's 
Department  as  inspector-general.  He  resigned  the  service  on  April  29, 
1853,  and  came  in  as  a  volunteer  at  the  commencement  of  the  Rebellion. 

Gouverneur  Morris  was  brevetted  major  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  pro 
moted  to  major  of  the  Third  Infantry,  on  January  31,  1850,  and  lieu 
tenant-colonel  of  the  First  Infantry,  May  31, 1857.  He  was  retired  from 
the  service  on  September  9,  1861. 

Robert  C.  Buchanan,  was  brevetted  major  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma, 
and  lieutenant-colonel  from  El  Moliuo  del  Rey.  He  served  through 
the  whole  of  the  Mexican  war  with  great  credit,  and  was,  in  1848, 
appointed  acting  inspector-general.  He  resumed  his  regimental  posi 
tion,  and  was  promoted  major  of  the  regiment  on  February  3,  1855, 
and  lieutenant-colonel  on  the  9th  of  September,  1861,  which  rank  he 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  37 

held  at  the  commencement  of  1864,  when  he  was  employed  as  Superin 
tendent  of  Volunteer  Recruiting  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Charles  H.  Larnard  was  brevetted  major  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma, 
and  was  drowned  in  Puget's  Sound,  near  Fort  Madison,  Washington 
Territory,  on  the  27th  of  March,  1854. 

Benjamin  Alvord  was  brevetted  captain  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and 
major  from  the  National  Bridge.  He  became  a  paymaster,  with  the  rank 
of  major,  from  June  22,  1854,  and  during  the  Rebellion  was  appointed  a 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers. 

Henry  L.  Scott  was  appointed  aide  and  acting  adjutant-general  to 
General  Scott,  gained  the  brevet  of  major  from  Churubusco,  and  liou- 
tenant-colonel  from  Chapultepec.  He  became  special  aide  to  General 
Scott  on  March  7,  1855,  and  retired  from  the  service  on  the  30th  of 
October,  1861. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANTS. 

Henry  Prince,  the  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  was  brevetted  captain  from 
Churubusco,  and  was  severely  wounded  at,  and  brevetted  major  from, 
El  Molino  del  Rey.  He  was  appointed  paymaster,  May  23,  1855,  and 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Charles  Hoskins,  the  former  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  was  killed  at 
Monterey,  September  21,  1846. 

Richard  H.  Graham  was  mortally  wounded  at  Monterey,  September  21, 

1846,  and  died  on  October  12,  1846. 

John  H.  Gore  was  brevetted  captain  from  Churubusco,  and  major  from 
El  Molino  del  Rey.  He  died,  August  1,  1852,  in  the  Bay  of  Panama, 
New  Grenada. 

Richard  E.  Cochran  was  killed  in  the  second  battle  of  the  war,  Resaca 
de  la  Palma,  on  May  9,  1846. 

Theodore  H.  Porter  was  killed  in  a  skirmish  near  the  Rio  Grande,  on 
April  19,  1846. 

Sidney  Smith  was  wounded  at  El  Molino  del  Rey,  and  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  attack  upon  the  city  of  Mexico,  on  September  14, 

1847,  and  died  on  September  16,  1847. 

Granville  0.  Haller  served  through  the  whole  of  the  Mexican  war ;  was 
brevetted  captain  from  El  Molino  del  Rey,  and  major  from  Chapultepec ! 
became  captain  in  January,  1848,  and  Major  of  the  Seventh  Infantry, 
September  25,  1861;  and  was  summarily  dismissed  from  the  service 
during  the  summer  of  1863. 

Henry  D.  Wallen  was  wounded  at  Palo  Alto,  May  8,  1846,  became 
adjutant  from  February,  1849,  to  May,  1850  ;  captain  from  January  31, 


38  GENEBAL   GRANT 

1850,  and  Major  of  the  Seventh  Infantry  from  November  25,  1861.  He 
held  this  position  at  the  beginning  of  1864. 

Henderson  Ridgeley  was  acting  assistant  adjutant-general  to  Brigadier- 
General  Lane,  and  was  killed  at  the  Pass  of  Guadalaxara,  on  the  24th 
of  November,  1847. 

Jenks  Beaman  participated  in  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la 
Palma ;  commanded  his  company  in  the  battle  of  El  Molino  del  Key,  and 
died  at  Tampico,  on  the  6th  of  May,  1848. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANTS. 

Christopher  R.  Perry,  after  participating  in  part  of  the  campaign,  died 
at  sea,  on  his  return  home,  October  8,  1848. 

Christopher  C.  Augur  was  aide  to  General  Hopping,  and,  after  the  war 
in  Mexico,  remained  in  the  IT.  S.  Army.  During  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
he  became  a  major-general  of  volunteers. 

ULYSSES  S.  GRAXT. 

Henry  M.  Judah  was  brevetted  a  first  lieutenant  from  El  Molino 
del  Rey,  and  captain  from  Chapultepec.  During  the  War  of  the  Rebel 
lion  he  commanded  a  division  in  General  Grant's  Military  Division  of 
the  Mississippi. 

James  S.  Woods  was  brevetted  first  lieutenant  from  Resaca  de  la 
Palma,  and  was  killed  at  Monterey,  September  21,  1846. 

Alexander  Hays  was  brevetted  first  lieutenant  from  Resaca  de  la 
Palma,  and  became  acting  assistant  adjutant-general  to  Brigadier- 
General  Lane.  He  resigned  the  service  on  April  12,  1848,  and  volun 
teered  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Abram  B.  Lincoln  was  wounded  at,  and  brevetted  first  lieutenant 
from,  El  Molino  del  Rey,  and  died  at  Pilatka,  Florida,  April  15,  1852. 

Thomas  J.  Montgomery  commanded  his  company  at  the  battles  of 
Churubusco  and  El  Molino  del  Rey;  became  first  lieutenant  during 
December,  1847,  and  captain,  in  March,  1854,  and  died  at  Fort  Steila- 
coom,  Washington  Territory,  November  22,  1854. 

David  A.  Russell  was  brevetted  first  lieutenant  from  the  National 
Bridge,  and,  remaining  in  the  regular  army  after  the  war,  became  a 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Alexander  P.  Rodgers  was  wounded,  and  afterwards  killed,  at  Cha 
pultepec,  September  13,  1847. 

Delancey  Floyd  Jones  was  brevetted  first  lieutenant  from  El  Molino 
del  Rey,  but  is  no  longer  on  the  roll  of  army  officers. 

Maurice  Maloney  was  brevetted  first  lieutenant  from  El  Holino  del 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  39 

Rey,  and  captain  from  Chapultepec ;  was  wounded  at  the  San  Cosmo 
Gate,  on  September  13,  1847 ;  became  first  lieutenant  during  May, 
1848,  captain  in  November,  1854,  and  Major  of  the  First  Infantry,  Sep 
tember  16, 1862,  which  rank  he  held  at  the  beginning  of  1864. 

Archibald  B.  Botts  died  on  the  first  of  January,  1847,  at  Camargo. 
Mexico. 

Thomas  R.  McConnell  was  brevetted  first  lieutenant  at  El  Molino  del 
Eey,  and  captain  from  Chapultepec;  became  captain,  in  February, 
1855,  and  resigned  the  service  on  March  11,  1856. 

Edmund  Russell  was  wounded  at  Churubusco ;  was  brevetted  first 
lieutenant  from  El  Molino  del  Rey,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  near 
Red  Bluff,  California,  on  March  24,  1853. 


Of  the  foregoing,  the  following  only  have  occupied 
prominent  positions  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  : 

Captain  George  Archibald  McCall  was  appointed  the  com 
mander  of  the  division  of  troops  known  as  the  "Pennsyl 
vania  Reserve  Corps,"  which  consisted  of  three  brigades 
and  fifteen  regiments,  and  fought  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  with  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  of  volunteers, 
from  May  17,  1861.  He  resigned  his  connection  with  the 
United  States  service  on  March  31,  18G3. 

Captain  Robert  C.  Buchanan  was  appointed  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  Fourth  Infantry  on  September  9,  1861,  and 
afterwards  nominated  for  a  volunteer  brigadier-general's 
commission  ;  but  being  too  far  advanced  in  years  to  endure 
the  fatigues  and  laborious  marches  in  the  field  during  the 
civil  war,  he  was  principally  kept  in  command  of  posts  and 
garrisons  within  the  union  lines. 

Captain  Benjamin  Alvord  became  a  brigadier-general 
of  volunteers  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  Henry  Prince  obtained  a  com 
mission  as  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  dating  from 
April  28,  1862,  and  participated  in  the  campaigns  in  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia.  At  the  beginning  of  1864,  he  was 


40  GENERAL    GRANT 

in  command  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Third  Army 
Corps. 

Lieutenant  Christopher  C.  Augur  distinguished  himself 
during  the  Rebellion  in  the  various  capacities  of  brigade, 
division,  and  corps  commander,  and,  on  January  1,  1864, 
held  the  command  of  the  Department  of  Washington,  and 
of  the  Twenty-Second  Army  Corps,  with  head-quarters  at 
the  national  capital.  Rank,  major-general  of  volunteers, 
from  August  9,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Henry  M.  Judah  was  appointed  a  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers  on  the  21st  of  March,  1862  ;  distin 
guished  himself  in  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel  guerilla  chief, 
General  John  H.  Morgan,  and  in  the  Eastern  Tennessee 
campaign  of  1863.  On  January  1,  1864,  he  held  the  com 
mand  of  a  division  in  the  Twenty-Third  Army  Corps,  which 
formed  a  part  of  General  Grant's  Military  Division  of  the 
Mississippi. 

Lieutenant  Alexander  Hays  was  appointed  a  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers  from  September  29,  1862,  he  having 
previously  held  the  command  of  a  company  of  the  Sixteenth 
Regiment  of  U.  S.  Regular  Infantry.  At  the  beginning 
of  1864,  he  was  in  command  of  a  division  in  the  Second 
Army  Corps,  then  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Lieutenant  David  A.  Russell,  having  held  the  rank 
of  Major  of  the  Eighth  Regiment  of  Regular  Infantry,  was 
appointed  a  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  on  November 
29,  1862,  and  distinguished  himself  during  1863,  while  in 
command  of  a  brigade,  and  afterwards  of  a  division  of  the 
Second  Army  Corps,  then  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  young  second  lieutenant, 
of  the  Mexican  war,  has  far  outstripped  all  his  regimental 
companions — many  of  whom  then  outranked  him  ;  and  he 
has  done  so  by  his  military  merit  alone. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  41 


CHAPTER  IV. 

t 

SUBSEQUENT   SERVICES   AND   RESIGNATION — CIVIL   LIFE. 

THE  struggles  in  Mexico  having  at  last  settled  down 
into  the  mere  brigandage  which  always  follows  large 
wars,  the  various  volunteer  troops  of  the  United  States 
Army  were  disbanded,  and  the  regular  regiments  ordered 
back  to  the  United  States.  Lieutenant  Grant  came  home 
with  his  regiment — the  Fourth  Regular  Infantry — and  dis 
embarked  within  the  harbor  of  New  York.  The  regiment 
was  then  distributed  in  companies  and  sections  among  the 
various  northern  frontier  defences,  along  the  borders  of 
the  States  of  Michigan  and  New  York ;  and  in  one  of  these 
forts  the  young  brevet  captain  commanded  his  company. 

The  emigration  furor  to  California  of  1850-51,  carried 
to  that  El  Dorado  region  an  immense  number  of  the  vilest 
characters  of  all  parts  of  the  world  ;  and  the  thirst  for  gold 
rendered  all  moral  law  and  obligations,  in  that  territory, 
subservient  to  violent  might.  To  preserve  even  a  show  of 
law  and  order,  and  to  restrain  the  Indians  from  murderous 
attacks  upon  the  whites,  the  Government  dispatched  a 
force  of  troops  to  that  part  of  the  country,  and  among 
others  the  Fourth  Regular  Infantry  was  ordered  to  the  De 
partment  of  the  Pacific.  The  battalion  to  which  Lieuten 
ant  Grant  was  attached  was  sent  up  into  Oregon,  arid,  for 
some  time,  had  its  head-quarters  at  Fort  Dallas,  in*  that 
territory. 

It  was  while  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  this  duty  that 


42  GENERAL   GRANT 

Lieutenant  Grant  received  his  full  promotion  to  captain 
of  infantry,  with  a  commission  dating  from  August,  1853. 

Captain  Grant  shortly  after  became  attached  to  the  De 
partment  of  the  West ;  but,  anticipating  more  chances  of 
progress  in  civil  life  than  in  the  military,  during  the  then 
prospective  happy  times  of  peace,  he  resigned  his  connec 
tion  with  the  United  States  Army,  on  the  31st  day  of 
July,  1854. 

Thus,  for  a  time,  the  valuable  services  of  the  embryo 
hero  were  lost  to  the  country,  and  his  talents  hid  from  the 
world.  But  like  a  cork,  held  by  the  finger  at  the  bottom 
of  a  vessel  of  water,  the  release  of  which  is  no  sooner 
effected  by  the  removal  of  the  pressure  than  it  springs 
higher  than  ever  above  the  surface,  has  Grant  again  sprung 
into  notoriety. 

After  Captain  Grant  had  severed  his  connection  with 
the  military  service,  he  made  his  residence  near  the  city 
of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  was  there  engaged  in  commer 
cial  pursuits  until  the  year  1859. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  the  letter  of  one  who 
had  taken  some  pains  to  trace  the  history  of  Grant's  life 
while  a  resident  in  and  near  St.  Louis  : 

"  General  Grant  occupied  a  little  farm  to  tlie  southwest  of  St.  Louis, 
whence  he  was  in  the  habit  of  cutting  the  wood,  drawing  it  to  Carondelet, 
and  selling  it  in  the  market  there.  Many  of  his  wood  purchasers  are 
now  calling  to  mind  that  they  had  a  cord  of  wood  delivered  in  person 
"by  the  great  General  Grant.  "When  he  came  into  the  wood  market  he 
was  usually  dressed  in  an  old  felt  hat,  with  a  blouse  coat,  and  his  pants 
tucked  in  the  tops  of  his  boots.  In  truth,  he  bore  the  appearance  of 
a  sturdy,  honest  woodman.  This  was  his  winter's  work.  In  the  sum 
mer  he  turned  a  collector  of  debts ;  but  for  this  he  was  not  qualified. 
He  had  a  noble  and  truthful  soul ;  so  when  he  was  told  that  the  debtor 
had  no  money,  he  believed  him,  and  would  not  trouble  the  debtor  again. 
One  of  the  leading  merchants  of  St.  Louis  mentioned  this  circumstance 
to  me.  From  all  I  can  learn  of  his  history  here,  he  was  honest,  truthful. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  43 

indefatigable — always  at  work  at  something;  but  he  did  not  possess  the 
knack  of  making  mon  ey.  He  was  honorable,  for  he  always  repaid  bor 
rowed  money.  His  habits  of  life  were  hardy,  inexpensive,  and  simple. 
About  his  being  an  inebriate,  I  find  nothing  to  confirm  it.  On  a  cold 
day,  when  he  had  brought  a  load  of  wood  to  the  Carondelet  market,  he 
would  take  something  to  keep  himself  warm.  This,  so  far  as  I  can  trace, 
is  the  foundation  of  many  reports  of  his  inebriety."* 

During  1859,  Grant  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
father,  in  the  leather  trade,  and  opened  business  in  the  city 
of  Galena,  Jo  Daviess  county,  Illinois.  This  city  is  located 
on  the  Fevre  River,  about  six  miles  above  the  point  where 
it  falls  into  the  Mississippi,  of  which  it  is  properly  an  arm. 
The  city  is  built  upon  a  bluff,  with  the  streets  rising 
one  above  the  other,  and  communicating  by  means  of 
flights  of  steps.  Large  portions  of  the  States  of  Wiscon 
sin,  Iowa,  and  Minnesota  are  tributary  to  this  town,  and 
consequently  it  is  a  place  of  considerable  trade. 

The  leather  house  of  Grant  &  Son  soon  became  a  very 
prosperous  concern,  and,  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion,  presented  one  of  the  best  business  prospects  of 
any  house  in  Galena.  The  younger  Grant  devoted  himself 
to  his  business,  and  made  it  a  study,  so  that,  after  a  short 
time,  the  recommendation  of  a  piece  of  leather  by  either  of 
the  firm  of  Grant  &  Son,  was  a  sure  guarantee  of  its  good 
quality. 

While  alluding  to  the  leather  business  of  this  firm,  it  will 
not  be  out  of  place  to  repeat  an  anecdote  connected 
with  General  Grant,  while  at  Vicksburg. 

The  Illinois  politicians  were  everlastingly  trying  to 
inveigle  General  Grant  into  some  debate,  or  the  rendering 
of  some  definite  idea  or  opinion  in  relation  to  the  state  of 
the  various  political  parties  of  the  country,  and  their  pro- 

*  St.  I/ais  correspondence  of  the  Milwaukie  Wisconsin,  January,  1864. 


44  GENERAL    GEANT 

fessed  tenets.  General  Grant,  however,  was  not  to  be 
drawn  out.  He  had  never  attached  himself  to  any  other 
party  than  that  of  the  true  patriot,  and  all  minor  issues 
were,  to  that  feeling,  made  entirely  subservient,  even  if 
he  knew  or  cared  any  thing  at  all  about  them. 

While  operating  in  the  vicinity  of  Yicksburg,  his  pro 
fessed  political  friends  paid  a  visit  to  his  head-quarters,  and 
after  a  short  time  spent  in  compliments,  they  touched  upon 
the  never-ending  subject  of  politics.  One  of  the  party  was 
in  the  midst  of  a  very  flowery  speech,  using  all  his 
rhetorical  powers  to  induce  the  general,  if  possible,  to  view 
matters  in  the  same  light  as  himself,  when  he  was  sudden 
ly  stopped  by  Grant. 

"  There  is  no  use  of  talking  politics  to  me.  I  know 
nothing  about  them ;  and,  furthermore,  I  do  not  know  of 
any  person  among  my  acquaintances  who  does.  But," 
continued  he,  "  there  is  one  subject  with  which  I  am  per 
fectly  acquainted  ;  talk  of  that,  and  I  am  your  man." 

"  What  is  that,  General  ?"  asked  the  politicians,  in  great 
surprise, 

"  Tanning  leather,"  was  the  reply. 

The  subject  was  immediately  changed. 

On  another  occasion,  an  infamous  proposal  was  made  by 
a  person  to  General  Grant,  while  he  was  staying  at  his 
head-quarters  "  in  the  field."  The  general,  irritated, 
administered  a  severe  kick  to  the  proposer  with  the  toe  of 
his  great  cavalry  boot;  and,  after  the  fellow  had  been 
driven  from  the  tent,  one  of  his  staff  remarked  to  a  com 
panion,  that  he  did  not  think  the  general  had  hurt  the 
rascal. 

"  Never  fear,"  was  the  reply ;  "  that  boot  never  fails 
under  such  circumstances,  for  the  leather  came  from 
Grant's  store,  in  Galena." 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  45 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE     REBELLION GRANT     VOLUNTEERS,    AND    BECOMES    A 

BRIGADIER-GENERAL. 

THE  attacks  made  by  the  rebels  upon  the  arsenals 
and  forts  of  the  United  States  were  enough  to  inflame  the 
patriotic  ardor  of  Grant,  as  well  as  that  of  all  the  loyal  West 
Pointers  who  had  retired  into  civil  life ;  but  when  Fort 
Sumter  was  fired  upon,  he  at  once  gave  up  his  business, 
prosperous  as  it  was,  and  tendered  his  services  to  the  Gov 
ernor  of  the  State  in  which  he  resided,  in  answer  to 
the  call  of  the  President  for  volunteers.  Governor  Yates, 
of  Illinois,  at  first  retained  him  near  his  person,  as  an  aide 
upon  his  staff  as  command er-in-chief  of  the  Illinois  forces, 
and  gave  him  the  responsible  position  of  mustering  officer 
of  Illinois  volunteers. 

It  is  owing  a  great  deal  to  the  enthusiastic  labors  of 
Grant,  as  mustering  officer,  that  Illinois  was  enabled  to 
turn  out  as  many  men  as  she  did  at  the  early  stages  of  the 
war.  Her  quota  was  more  than  filled,  and  the  men  were 
speedily  put  into  the  field.  But  Grant  could  not  sit  down 
in  the  office  of  the  mustering  department  while  his  services 
were  more  actively  needed  against  the  enemy  in  the  field ;  and 
he  therefore  requested,  that  the  Governor  would  give  him 
some  position  in  connection  with  one  of  the  three  years' 
regiments,  then  being  raised.  He  therefore,  about  the 
middle  of  June,  1861,  resigned  his  appointment  as  muster 
ing  officer,  and  accepted  the  colonelcy  of  the  Twenty-first 


46  GENERAL    GRANT 

Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers,  with  a  commission  dating 
from  June  15,  1861. 

Colonel  Grant  at  once  left  the  capital  of  the  State  to 
join  his  regiment,  then  organizing  at  Mattoon,  Illinois,  and 
removed  the  men  to  the  camp  at  Caseyville,  where  he  per 
sonally  superintended  their  drill  and  equipment. 

As  soon  as  the  regiment  was  considered  fit  to  enter  upon 
active  duties  in  the  field,  it  was  removed  across  the  Missis 
sippi  River  into  Missouri,  and  formed  part  of  the  guard  of 
the  Hannibal  and  Hudson  Railroad,  a  line  running  across 
the  northern  part  of  the  State,  from  the  Mississippi  River 
to  St.  Joseph,  on  the  border  of  Kansas,  and  one  of  the 
branches  of  the  main  lines  which  connected  the  East  with 
the  West. 

OH  the  31st  of  July,  1861,  Colonel  Grant  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  troops  at  Mexico,  on  the  North  Missouri 
Railroad.  Colonel  Grant's  force,  at  this  time,  formed  a 
portion  of  Brigadier-General  John  Pope's  command,  which 
embraced  the  section  of  country  north  of  the  Missouri 
River,  then  known  as  the  "  District  of  North  Missouri." 
It  was,  however,  shortly  after  transferred  to  Pilot  Knob, 
which  was  fortified  and  garrisoned.  The  regiment  next 
marched  to  Ironton,  Missouri;  thence  to  Marble  Creek, 
which  it  garrisoned.  These  movements  occupied  most  of 
the  time  until  about  the  23d  of  August,  1861,  when  Colo 
nel  Grant  was  detached  from  his  regimental  command  and 
appointed  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  of  volunteers, 
with  a  commission  dating  from  May  17,  1861. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  relative  position  of 
General  Grant,  on  May  17,  1861,  with  the  others  of  the 
same  rank,  appointed  on  the  same  day,  and  how  each  of 
these  generals  was  employed  at  the  beginning  of  1864  : 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS. 


Generals. 

Samuel  P.  Heintzelman, 
Erasmus  D.  Keyes, 
Andrew  Porter, 
Fitz  John  Porter, 
Wm.  B.  Franklin, 
Wm.  T.  Sherman, 

Charles  P.  Stone, 
Don  Carlos  Buell, 
Thomas  W.  Sherman, 
James  Oakes, 
John  Pope, 

George  A.  McCall, 
William  R.  Montgomery, 
Philip  Kearney, 
Joseph  Hooker, 

John  W.  Phelps, 
ULYSSES  S.  GRANT, 
Joseph  J.  Reynolds, 
Samuel  R.  Curtis, 
Charles  S.  Hamilton, 
Darius  N.  Couch, 

Rufus  King, 
J.  D.  Cox, 

Stephen  A.  Hurlbut, 
Franz  Sigel, 
Robert  C.  Schenck, 
B.  M.  Prentiss, 
Frederick  W.  Lander, 
Benj.  F.  Kelly, 

John  A.  McClernand, 
A.  S.  Williams, 
I.  B.  Richardson, 
William  Sprague, 
James  Cooper, 


January  1, 1864. 
Not  in  active  field  service, 
do.  do. 

do.  do. 

Cashiered. 

Commanding  19th  Army  Corps. 
Commanding   a   Department  under 

General  Grant. 

Chief  of  Staff  to  General  Banks. 
Not  in  active  field  service. 
Temporarily  invalided. 
Not  in  service. 
Commanding     Department    of   the 

Northwest. 
Resigned. 

Not  in  active  field  service. 
Dead. 
Commanding  Grand  Division  under 

General  Grant. 
Resigned. 

Commanding  troops  at  New  Orleans. 

Not  in  active  field  service, 
do.  do. 

Commanding    Department    of    the 
Susquehanna. 

Foreign  Minister. 

Comm'ding  Corps  under  Gen.  Grant, 
do.  do. 

Not  in  active  field  service. 

In  Congress. 

Resigned. 

Dead. 

Commanding  Department  of  West 
ern  Virginia. 

Not  in  active  field  service. 

Commanding  a  Division. 

Dead. 

Declined. 

Dead. 


48  GENERAL    GRANT 

By  referring  to  the  foregoing,  it  will  be  perceived  that 
the  name  of  Ulysses  S.  Grant  stood  No.  1 7 — exactly  half 
way  down  the  list, — at  the  time  he  received  his  brigadier- 
general's  commission.  When  this  narrative  was  written, 
General  Grant  commanded  as  much  territory  and  as  many 
troops  in  the  field  as  all  the  other  thirty-three  generals 
combined — a  rapid  rise  in  position  scarcely  equalled  by 
any  officer  of  modern  times,  Napoleon  excepted. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  49 


CHAPTER  VL 

POST   AND   DISTRICT   COMMANDER. BELMONT. 

As  soon  as  General  Grant  had  been  invested  with  the 
rank  and  authority  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  take  the 
command  of  a  post,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
one  at  Cairo,  and  his  forces  were  increased  by  the  addi 
tion  of  another  brigade,  which  had  been  organized  for, 
and  was  under  the  command  of,  Brigadier-General  John 
A.  McClernand. 

The  post  at  Cairo  included  within  its  jurisdiction  the 
Missouri  shore  of  the  Mississippi  River,  from  Cape  Gi- 
rardeau  to  New  Madrid,  and  the  opposite  Illinois  shore,  to 
the  point  of  land  on  which  Cairo  stood.  This  post  com 
manded  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  was  the  key  to 
the  Upper  Mississippi  and  the  Missouri  Rivers.  Its  impor 
tance  as  a  defensive  military  position,  and  also  as  a  base 
of  operations,  at  the  early  stages  of  the  war,  was  without 
estimate ;  and  even  now  as  a  permanent  base  of  supplies, 
its  value  is  great,  and  its  loss  would  be  severely  felt  by  the 
Union  army. 

At  this  time,  the  State  of  Kentucky  was  in  that  incom 
prehensible  condition  designated  as  neutral;  but  as  the 
line  that  separated  Tennessee,  which  had  seceded,  from 
Kentucky,  which  had  not,  was  a  mere  imaginary  one ;  and 
as  the  rebel  forces  of  the  seceding  States  were  stationed  so 
closely  on  these  borders,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that 
5 


50  GENERAL    GRANT 

they  often  crossed  the  line  into  the  neutral  State,  especially 
when  it  was  to  their  advantage  so  to  do. 

General  Grant  no  sooner  found  out  that  this  course  of 
policy  was  being  adopted  by  the  rebels,  and  that  they  had 
actually  encroached  upon  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and 
were  fortifying  Columbus  and  Hickman,  on  the  Mississippi 
River,  and  Bowling  Green,  on  the  Big  Barren  River,  than 
he  ordered  the  seizure  of  Paducah,  a  valuable  post  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Tennessee  River.  This  village  was  occupied 
on  September  6,  1861,  and  within  nineteen  days  he  also 
held  possession  of  Smithland,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cum 
berland  River.  By  these  movements  he  not  only  blockaded 
the  rivers  leading  up  into  the  Rebel  States,  against  the  run 
ning  of  supplies  and  contraband  articles  for  the  use  of 
those  who  were  up  in  arms  against  the  government ;  but 
he  also  secured  two  fine  bases  for  further  operations,  and 
cleared  out  the  guerillas,  who  were  trying  to  blockade  the 
Ohio  River,  below  those  points.  He  also  garrisoned  each 
of  these  places  with  a  force  sufficient  to  hold  them  ;  but 
still  retained  his  head-quarters  at  Cairo,  which  had  then 
become  the  head-quarters  of  the  sub-department  or  Dis 
trict  of  Southeast  Missouri. 

At  the  time  when  General  Grant  took  possession  of  Pa 
ducah,  he  found  secession  flags  flying  in  different  parts  of 
the  city,  in  expectation  of  greeting  the  arrival  of  the  rebel 
forces,  which  were  reported  to  be  nearly  four  thousand 
strong,  and  not  many  miles  distant.  The  landing  of  the 
Union  troops  was  a  signal  for  a  general  uprising  of  the 
loyal  citizens  of  the  place,  who,  being  properly  supported, 
in  effect,  if  not  in  fact,  at  once  tore  down  from  the  houses 
of  the  rebel  sympathizers  the  secession  flags  which  they 
had  raised. 

General  Grant  immediately  took  possession  of  the  tele 
graph  office,  railroad  depot,  hospitals,  etc.,  and  other  points 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  51 

of  importance,  after  which  he  issued  the  following  pro 
clamation  to  the  citizens : 

PADUCAH,  KY.,  September  6,  1861. 
To  the  citizens  of  Paducah : 

I  am  come  among  you,  not  as  an  enemy,  but  as  your  fellow-citizen. 
Not  to  maltreat  you  nor  annoy  you,  but  to  respect  and  enforce  the  rights 
of  all  loyal  citizens.  An  enemy,  in  rebellion  against  our  common  gov 
ernment,  has  taken  possession  of,  and  planted  its  guns  on  the  soil  of  Ken 
tucky,  and  fired  upon  you.  Columbus  and  Hickman  are  in  his  hands. 
He  is  moving  upon  your  city.  I  am  here  to  defend  you  against  this  ene 
my,  to  assist  the  authority  and  sovereignty  of  your  government.  /  hare 
nothing  to  do  with  opinions,  and  shall  deal  only  with  armed  rebellion,  and 
its  aiders  and  abettors.  You  can  pursue  your  usual  avocations  without 
fear.  The  strong  arm  of  the  government  is  here  to  protect  its  friends, 
and  punish  its  enemies.  Whenever  it  is  manifest  that  you  are  able  to 
defend  yourselves,  and  maintain  the  authority  of  the  government,  and 
protect  the  rights  of  loyal  citizens,  I  shall  withdraw  the  forces  under 
my  command.  U.  S.  GBANT,  Brig.-  Gen.  Commanding. 

The  tone  of  the  above  proclamation  speaks  well  for  the 
temper  of  the  soldier,  who,  although  in  the  midst  of  ene 
mies,  and  with  the  power  in  his  hands,  yet  refused  to  use 
that  power  further  than  he,  of  actual  necessity,  was  called 
upon  to  do  by  the  exigencies  of  his  position. 

General  Grant,  when  in  camp  at  Cairo,  presented  little, 
in  fact  nothing,  of  the  gewgaws  and  trappings  which  are 
generally  attached  to  the  attire  of  a  general ;  and  in  this 
respect,  he  showed  a  marked  contrast  between  himself  and 
some  of  his  sub-lieutenants,  whose  bright  buttons  and  glit 
tering  shoulder-straps  were  perfectly  resplendent.  The 
general,  instead,  would  move  about  the  camp  with  his 
attire  carelessly  thrown  on,  and  left  to  fall  as  it  pleased. 
In  fact,  he  seemed  to  care  nothing  at  all  about  his  personal 
appearance,  and  in  the  place  of  the  usual  military  hat  and 
gold  cord,  he  wore  an  old  battered  black  hat,  generally 


52  GENERAL    GRANT 

designated  as  a  "  stove-pipe,"  an  article  that  neither  of  his 
subordinates  would  have  stooped  to  pick  up,  even  if  unob 
served.  In  his  mouth  he  carried  a  black-looking  cigar, 
and  he  seemed  to  be  perpetually  smoking. 

In  connection  with  these  facts,  a  detractor  of  General 
Grant  was,  on  one  occasion,  speaking  rather  sarcastically  of 
the  stove-pipe  General  and  his  passion  for  cigars,  when  he  was 
taken  up  by  one  of  Grant's  friends,  who  said :  "  Such  a  bright 
stove-pipe  as  Grant,  should  be  excused  for  smoking." 

Several  reconnoissances  were  made  down  the  Mississippi 
River  and  inland  from  the  Ohio  River,  and  occasionally 
skirmishes  would  also  take  place.  At  these  contests  pris 
oners  would  sometimes  be  taken  on  both  sides,  and  the 
following  correspondence  was  the  result  of  these  captures ; 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  FIRST  DIVISION, 
WESTERN  DEPARTMENT,  October,  1861. 
To  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Cairo  and  Bird's  Point : 

I  have  in  my  camp  a  number  of  prisoners  of  the  Federal  army, 
and  am  informed  there  are  prisoners  belonging  to  the  Missouri  State  troops 
in  yours.  I  propose  an  exchange  of  these  prisoners,  and  for  that  pur 
pose  send  Captain  Polk  of  the  artillery,  and  Lieutenant  Smith  of  the 
infantry,  both  of  the  Confederate  States  Army,  with  a  flag  of  truce,  to 
deliver  to  you  this  communication,  and  to  know  your  pleasure  in  regard 
to  my  proposition. 

The  principles  recognized  in  the  exchange  of  prisoners  effected  on 
the  3d  of  September,  between  Brigadier-General  Pillow,  of  the  Con 
federate  Army,  and  Colonel  Wallace,  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  are  those  I 
propose  as  the  basis  of  that  now  contemplated. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

L.  POLK,  Major- General  Commanding. 

To  which  communication  General  Grant  dispatched  the 
following  reply : 

DISTRICT  OF  SOUTHEAST  MISSOURI, 
HEAD-QUARTERS,  CAIRO,  October  14,  1861. 

GENERAL: — Yours  of  this  date  is  just  received.  In  regard  to  an 
exchange  of  prisoners,  as  proposed,  I  can,  of  my  own  accordance,  make 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  53 

none.  I  recognize  no  "Southern  Confederacy "  myself,  but  will  com 
municate  with  higher  authorities  for  their  views.  Should  I  not  be 
sustained,  I  will  find  means  of  communicating  with  you. 

Eespectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.- Gen.  Commanding. 
To  Major-General  POLK,  Columbus,  Ky. 

On  the  16th  of  October,  1861,  General  Grant  ordered  a 
portion  of  his  forces  under  Colonel  Plummer,  then  stationed 
at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  to  march  towards  Fredericktown, 
by  way  of  Jackson  and  Dallas,  and  in  conjunction  with 
Colonel  Carlin,  who  was  moving  in  another  direction,  to 
check  the  advance  of,  and,  if  possible,  defeat  the  rebel 
forces,  then  advancing  northward  under  Brigadier-General 
Jeff  Thompson.  The  movement  was  a  success ;  and  on  the 
morning  of  October  21,  1861,  the  rebels  were  defeated, 
and  the  U.  S.  troops  afterwards  returned  to  their  former 
posts.* 

Having  thus  secured  the  information  he  required  relative 
to  the  position  of  Jeif  Thompson's  forces,  and  also  having 
learned  that  others  were  concentrating  at  the  rebel  camp 
at  Belmont,  Mo.,  General  Grant  at  the  head  of  two  brigades, 
commanded  respectively  by  General  McClernand  and  him 
self,  left  Cairo  on  November  6,  1861,  for  that  point.  On 
the  opposite  Kentucky  shore,  the  rebels  had  fortified  a 
position  at  Columbus,  which  was  to  command  the  camp  at 
Belmont,  as  well  as  to  blockade  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  two  U.  S.  brigades  landed  at  Belmont,  at  eight 
o'clock  of  the  morning  of  November  7,  were  at  once  form 
ed  into  line  of  battle,  and  immediately  attacked  the 
rebel  works,  where  they  found  the  enemy  in  force  under 
General  Cheatham.  The  rebel  forces  were  driven  to  and 
through  their  camp,  and  their  battery  of  twelve  guns  was 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


54  GENERAL    GRANT 

captured.  The  camp  was  then  burned,  and  the  enemy's 
baggage  and  horses  taken.  Several  prisoners  also  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Union  troops,  and  the  attack  was  a  com 
plete  triumph. 

But  at  the  very  moment  when  victory  was  deemed  cer 
tain,  several  large  bodies  of  rebel  troops  from  Columbus 
and  Hickman  crossed  the  Mississippi  River,  and  re-enforced 
those  at  Belmont.  This  re-enforcement  made  the  enemy 
numerically  stronger  than  the  forces  under  General  Grant, 
and  after  another  severe  fight,  the  Union  troops  had  to 
withdraw  to  their  transports,  their  retreat  being  well 
covered  by  the  ordnance  of  the  gunboats.* 

The  following  is  from  a  private  letter  from  General 
Grant  to  his  father,  written  on  the  night  of  the  8th : 

"Day  before  yesterday  I  left  Cairo  with  about  three  thousand  men  in 
five  steamers,  convoyed  by  two  gunboats,  and  proceeded  down  the  riv 
er  to  within  about  twelve  miles  of  Columbus.  The  next  morning  the 
boats  were  dropped  down  just  out  of  range  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  and 
the  troops  debarked.  During  this  operation  our  gunboats  exercised  the 
rebels  by  throwing  shells  into  their  camps  and  batteries.  When  all 
ready,  we  proceeded  about  one  mile  toward  Belmont,  opposite  Columbus, 

*  See  Appendix  B. 

[NOTE. — Now  that  the  clouds  which  mystified  the  view  of  this  battle 
have  cleared  away,  it  is  far  from  established  that  the  Union  troops  were 
defeated  on  this  occasion.  General  Folk's  dispatch  (Appendix  B.)  plainly 
shows  the  rebels  to  have  suffered  heavily,  and  to  have  lost  part  of  their 
artillery.  Nor  should  General  Grant  be  blamed  for  the  result  of  the 
expedition.  He  was  ordered  to  make  the  attack,  and,  being  only  a  Dis 
trict  Commander,  he  had  to  obey  his  superior  officer  at  the  head  of  the 
Department,  except  as  to  the  time  and  manner  of  fighting.  '  That  tho 
attack  was  well  planned  and  brilliantly  executed  there  can  be  no  manner 
of  doubt,  the  troops  displaying  great  bravery ;  and  but  for  the  heavy 
re-enforcements  of  the  enemy,  Belmont  certainly  would  have  been  classed 
as  one  of  the  early  victories  for  the  Union  arms.  All  this  is  established; 
and  had  the  North  nothing  worse  to  contemplate  than  the  affair  at  Bel 
mont,  the  record  of  the  war  would  be  almost  stainless.] 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  55 

when  I  formed  the  troops  into  line,  and  ordered  two  companies  from 
each  regiment  to  deploy  as  skirmishers,  and  push  on  through  the  woods 
and  discover  the  position  of  the  enemy.  They  had  gone  but  a  little  way 
when  they  were  fired  upon,  and  the  ball  may  be  said  to  have  fairly 
opened. 

"  The  whole  command,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  reserve,  was  then 
deployed  in  like  manner  and  ordered  forward.  The  order  was  obeyed 
with%great  alacrity,  the  men  all  showing  great  courage.  I  can  say  with 
great  gratification  that  every  colonel,  without  a  single  exception,  set  an 
example  to  their  commands  that  inspired  a  confidence  that  will  always 
insure  victory  when  there  is  the  slightest  possibility  of  gaining  one. 
I  feel  truly  proud  to  command  such  men. 

"  From  here  we  fought  our  way  from  tree  to  tree  through  the  woods  to 
Belmont,  about  two  and  a  half  miles,  the  enemy  contesting  every  foot  of 
ground.  Here  the  enemy  had  strengthened  their  position  by  felling  the 
trees  for  two  or  three  hundred  yards  and  sharpening  their  limbs,  making 
a  sort  of  abatis.  Our.  men  charged  through,  making  the  victory  complete, 
giving  us  possession  of  their  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  artillery,  and 
every  thing  else. 

"  We  got  a  great  many  prisoners.  The  majority,  however,  succeeded 
in  getting  aboard  their  steamers  and  pushing  across  the  river.  We 
burned  every  thing  possible  and  started  back,  having  accomplished  all 
that  we  went  for,  and  even  more.  Belmont  is  entirely  covered  by  the 
batteries  from  Columbus,  and  is  worth  nothing  as  a  military  position — 
cannot  be  held  without  Columbus. 

"  The  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  send 
ing  a  force  into  Missouri  to  cut  off  troops  I  had  sent  there  for  a  special 
purpose,  and  to  prevent  re-enforcing  Price. 

"Besides  being  well  fortified  at  Columbus,  their  number  far  exceeded 
ours,  and  it  would  have  been  folly  to  have  attacked  them.  We  found 
the  Confederates  well  armed  and  brave.  On  our  return,  stragglers,  that 
had  been  left  in  our  rear  (now  front),  fired  into  us,  and  more  recrossed 
the  river  and  gave  us  battle  for  a  full  mile,  and  afterward  at  the  boats 
when  we  were  embarking. 

"  There  was  no  hasty  retreating  or  running  away.  Taking  into  ac 
count  the  object  of  the  expedition,  the  victory  was  complete.  It  has 
given  us  confidence  in  the  officers  and  men  of  this  command,  that  will 
enable  us  to  lead  them  in  any  future  engagement  without  fear  of  the  re 
sult.  Gen.  McClernaiid  (who,  by  the  way,  acted  with  great  coolness 
and  courage  throughout,  and  proved  that  he  is  a  soldier  as  well  as  a 


06  GENERAL    GRANT 

statesman)  and  myself,  each  had  our  horses  shot  under  us.  Most  of  the 
field-officers  met  with  the  same  loss,  beside  nearly  one-third  of  them  be 
ing  themselves  killed  or  wounded.  As  near  as  I  can  ascertain,  our  loss 
was  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  killed,  wounded,  and  missing." 

General  Modern  and,  in  his  official  report  of  this  battle, 
after  speaking  of  the  hotness  of  the  engagement,  and  nar 
row  escapes  of  some  of  his  officers,  makes  use  of.  the 
following  words : 

"Here  the  projectiles  from  the  enemy's  heavy  guns  at  Columbus,  and 
their  artillery  at  Belmont,  crashed  through  the  woods  over  and.  among 
us.  *  *  *  And  here,  too,  many  of  our  officers  were  killed  or  wound 
ed  ;  nor  shall  I  omit  to  add,  that  this  gallant  conduct  was  stimulated  by 
your  (Grant's)  presence,  and  inspired  by  your  example.  Here  your 
horse  was  killed  under  you." 

After  the  U.  S.  troops  had  returned  to  their  base  of 
operations  at  Cairo,  General  Grant  issued  the  following 
order : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  SOUTHEAST  MISSOURI, 

CAIRO,  November  8,  1861. 

The  General  commanding  this  military  district,  returns  his  thanks  to 
the  troops  under  his  command  at  the  battle  of  Belmont  on  yesterday. 

It  has  been  his  fortune  to  have  been  in  all  the  battles  fought  in  Mexico 
by  Generals  Scott  and  Taylor,  save  Buena  Yista,  and  he  never  saw  one 
more  hotly  contested,  or  where  troops  behaved  with  more  gallantry. 

Such  courage  will  insure  victory  wherever  our  flag  may  be  borne  and 
protected  by  such  a  class  of  men. 

To  the  brave  men  who  fell,  the  sympathy  of  the  country  is  due,  and 
will  be  manifested  in  a  manner  unmistakable. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.-Ge:i.  Commanding. 

But,  while  General  Grant  was  engaged  in  congratulating 
those  who  had  returned  safe,  he  was  not  unmindful  of  the 
sufferers  who  had  fallen  wounded  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Knowing  the  incomplete  state  of  the  Medical  and 
Surgical  Departments  of  the  rebel  army  opposed  to  him,  he 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  57 

addressed  the    following   dispatch   to  the   rebel  general 
under  a  flag  of  truce  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OP  SOUTHEAST  MISSOURI, 

CAIRO,  November  8,  1861. 
General  commanding  forces,  Columbus,  Ky. 

SIR: — In  the  skirmish  of  yesterday,  in  which  both  parties  behaved 
with  so  much  gallantry,  many  unfortunate  men  were  left  upon  the  field 
of  battle,  whom  it  was  impossible  to  provide  for.  I  now  send,  in  the 
interest  of  humanity,  to  have  these  unfortunates  collected  and  medical 
attendance  secured  them.  Major  Webster,  Chief  of  Engineers,  District 
Southeast  Missouri,  goes  bearer  of  this,  and  will  express  to  you  my  views 
upon  the  course  that  should  be  pursued  under  the  circumstances,  such 
as  those  of  yesterday. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  G-RANT,  Brig.-Gen.  Commanding. 

To  this  communication,  the  commander  of  the  rebel  post 
returned  the  following  answer  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  FIRST  DIVISION,  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT, 

COLUMBUS,  KY.,  November  8,  1861. 
Brigadier-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  U.  S.  A. : 

I  have  received  your  note  in  regard  to  your  wounded  and  killed  on 
the  battle-field,  after  yesterday's  engagement.  The  lateness  of  the  hour 
at  which  my  troops  returned  to  the  principal  scene  of  action  prevented 
my  bestowing  the  care  upon  the  wounded  which  I  desired. 

Such  attentions  as  were  practicable  were  shown  them,  and  measures 
were  taken  at  an  early  hour  this  morning  to  have  them  all  brought  into 
my  hospitals.  Provision  was  also  made  for  taking  care  of  your  dead. 
The  permission  you  desire  under  your  flag  of  truce  to  aid  in  attention  to 
your  wounded,  is  granted  with  pleasure,  under  such  restrictions  as  the 
exigencies  of  our  service  may  require.  In  your  note  you  say  nothing  of 
an  exchange  of  prisoners,  though  you  send  me  a  private  message  as  to  your 
willingness  to  release  certain  wounded  men,  and  some  invalids  taken 
from  our  list  of  sick  in  camps,  and  expect,  in  return,  a  corresponding 
number  of  your  wounded  prisoners.  My  own  feelings  would  prompt 
me  to  waive  again  the  unimportant  affectation  of  declining  to  recognize 
these  States  as  belligerents,  in  the  interests  of  humanity ;  but  my  gov- 
3* 


58  GENERAL    GRANT 

ernment  requires  all  prisoners  to  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Secre 
tary  of  War.  I  have  dispatched  him  to  know  if  the  case  of  the  severely 
wounded  held  by  me  will  form  an  exception. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your  obedient  servant, 

L.  POLK,  Major-  General  0.  S.  A. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  59 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DISTRICT   OF   CAIRO. — GRAND   RECONNOISSANCE. 

AFTER  General  Halleck  had  assumed  the  command  of 
the  Department  of  the  Missouri,  he  began  to  organize  the 
same  into  proper  military  districts,  so  as  to  allow  each  dis 
trict  commander  to  have  full  control  of  the  section  of 
country  embraced  within  his  lines. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  1861,  General  Halleck,  appre 
ciating  the  military  ability  of  General  Grant,  issued  an 
order  denning  what  should  constitute  the  District  of  Cairo, 
and  extending  the  command  until  it  became  one  of  the 
largest  divisions  in  the  country.  He  then  appointed  General 
Grant  to  be  chief  commander  of  the  same.  In  accordance 
with  that  appointment,  General  Grant  assumed  the  com 
mand  of  the  new  district  on  December  21,  1861,  and 
announced  the  same  in  the  following  order  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  or  CAIRO, 

CAIRO,  December  21,  1861. 
[General  Order  No.  22.] 

In  pursuance  of  Special  Order  No.  78,  from  Head- Quarters,  Depart 
ment  of  the  Missouri,  the  name  of  this  Military  District  will  be  know, 
as  the  "  District  of  Cairo,"  and  will  include  all  the  southern  part  of  Illi 
nois,  that  part  of  Kentucky  west  of  the  Cumberland  River,  and  the 
southern  counties  of  Missouri,  south  of  Cape  Girardeau. 

The  force  at  Shawneetown  will  be  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Colonel  T.  H.  Cavanaugh,  Sixth  Illinois  Cavalry,  who  will  consolidate 
the  reports  of  his  command  weekly,  and  forward  to  these  head 
quarters. 

3* 


GO  GENERAL    GEANT 

All  troops  that  are,  or  may  be,  stationed  along  the  banks  of  the  Ohio, 
on  both  sides  of  the  river,  east  of  Caledonia,  and  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Cumberland,  will  be  included  in  the  command,  having  head-quarters  at 
Paducah,  Ky. 

Brigadier-General  E.  A.  Paine  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
forces  at  Bird's  Point,  Missouri. 

All  supplies  of  ordnance,  Quarter-Master  and  Commissary  stores,  will 
be  obtained  through  the  chiefs  of  each  of  these  departments,  at  district 
head-quarters,  where  not  otherwise  provided  for. 

For  the  information  of  that  portion  of  this  command,  newly  attached, 
the  following  list  of  Staff  Officers  is  published : 

Captain  John  A.  Rawlins,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Captain  Clark  B.  Lagow,  Aide-de-Camp. 

Captain  Wm.  S.  Hillyer,  Aide-de-Camp. 

Major  John  Kiggin.  Jr.,  Volunteer  Aide-de-Camp. 

Captain  R.  B.  Hatch,  Assistant  Quarter-Master  U.  S.  Volunteers, 
Chief  Quarter-Master. 

Captain  "W.  W.  Leland,  A.  C.  S.  U.  S.  Volunteers,  Chief  Commissary. 

Captain  W.  F.  Brinck,  Ordnance  Officer. 

Surgeon  James  Simons,  U.  S.  A.,  Medical  Director. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  J.  P.  Taggart,  U.  S.  A.,  Medical  Purveyor. 

Major  I.  N.  Cook,  Pay-Master. 

Colonel  J.  D.  Webster,  Chief  of  Staff,  and  Chief  of  Engineers. 
By  order,  U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.- Gen.  Commanding. 

General  Grant  at  once  began  organizing,  under  his  per 
sonal  supervision,  the  new  troops  added  to  his  command, 
and  as  soon  as  deemed  fit  for  such  service,  they  were  sent 
to  the  various  posts  belonging  to  the  district,  including 
Fort  Jefferson  and  Paducah,  in  Kentucky.  By  this  plan 
of  operation  General  Grant  had  all  his  troops  well  in  hand, 
and  yet  so  distributed  that  it  was  a  matter  of  great  diffi 
culty,  if  not  an  actual  impossibility,  for  the  enemy  to  learn 
his  strength. 

On  the  10th  of  January,  the  forces  under  the  immediate 
command  of  General  McClemand,  left  Cairo  in  transports, 
and  disembarked  at  Fort  Jefferson.  The  transports  were 
protected  by  two  gunboats,  which  were  next  ordered 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  61 

to  lie  off  the  fort.  The  rebels,  with  three  armed  vessels, 
attacked  these  gunboats  the  next  morning ;  but,  after  a 
brisk  engagement,  had  to  beat  a  retreat — the  Union  vessels 
chasing  them  until  they  took  refuge  under  the  guns  of 
Columbus. 

As  picket  shooting  had  existed  to  a  fearful  extent  in  the 
vicinity  of  Cairo,  General  Grant,  on  the  llth  of  January, 
issued  an  order,  as  follows  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  CAIRO,  January  11,  1862. 
Brigadier-General  PAINE,  Bird's  Point: 

I  understand  that  four  of  our  pickets  were  shot  this  morning.  If  this 
is  so,  and  appearances  indicate  that  the  assassins  were  citizens,  not 
regularly  organized  in  the  rebel  army,  the  whole  country  should  be 
cleared  out  for  six  miles  around,  and  word  given  that  all  citizens,  mak 
ing  their  appearance  within  those  limits,  are  liable  to  be  shot. 

To  execute  this,  patrols  should  be  sent  out  in  all  directions,  and  bring 
into  camp,  at  Bird's  Point,  all  citizens,  together  with  their  subsistence, 
and  require  them  to  remain,  under  penalty  of  death  and  destruction  of 
their  property,  until  properly  relieved.  ' 

Let  no  harm  befall  these  people,  if  they  quietly  submit;  but  bring 
them  in  and  place  them  in  camp  below  the  breastwork,  and  have  them 
properly  guarded. 

The  intention  is  not  to  make  political  prisoners  of  these  people,  but  to  cut 
off  a  dangerous  class  of  spies. 

This  applies  to  all  classes  and  conditions,  age  and  sex.  If,  however, 
women  and  children  prefer  other  protection  than  we  can  afford  them, 
they  may  be  allowed  to  retire  beyond  the  limits  indicated — not  to  return 
until  authorized. 

By  order  of  U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.- Gen.  Commanding. 

As  General  Grant  states  in  the  above  order,  it  was  ne 
cessary  to  keep  spies  away  from  his  vicinity,  as  he  was  then 
about  to  start  on  a  perilous  expedition.  He  had  already 
divided  his  forces  into  three  columns — under  Generals 
Paine,  McClernand,  and  C.  F.  Smith — General  Grant  com 
manding  the  whole  expedition  in  person. 


62  GENERAL    GRANT 

Before  starting  on  this  adventure,  General  Grant  issued 
the  following  order  to  his  troops  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  CAIRO, 

CAIRO,  January  13,  1862. 
[General  Order  No.  3.] 

During  the  absence  of  the  expedition,  now  starting  upon  soil  occu 
pied  almost  solely  by  the  rebel  army,  and  when  it  is  a  fair  inference  that 
every  stranger  met  is  an  enemy,  the  following  orders  will  be  observed: 

Troops,  on  marching,  will  be  kept  in  the  ranks ;  company  officers  being 
held  strictly  accountable  for  all  stragglers  from  their  companies.  J^o 
firing  will  be  allowed  in  camp  or  on  the  march,  not  strictly  required  in 
the  performance  of  duty.  While  in  camp,  no  privilege  will  be  granted 
to  officers  or  soldiers  to  leave  their  regimental  grounds,  and  all  violations 
of  this  order  must  be  promptly  and  summarily  punished. 

Disgrace  having  been  brought  upon  our  brave  fellows  by  the  bad 
conduct  of  some  of  their  members,  showing  on  all  occasions,  when 
marching  through  territory  occupied  by  sympathizers  of  the  enemy,  a 
total  disregard  of  the  rights  of  citizens,  and  being  guilty  of  wanton  de 
struction  of  private  property,  the  general  commanding  desires  and  intends 
to  enforce  a  change  in  this  respect, 

The  interpreting  of  confiscation  acts  by  troops  themselves  has  a  de 
moralizing  effect — weakens  them  in  exact  proportions  to  the  demoraliza 
tion,  and  makes  open  and  armed  enemies  of  many  who,  from  opposite 
treatment,  would  become  friends,  or,  at  most,  non-combatants. 

It  is  ordered,  therefore,  that  the  severest  punishment  be  inflicted 
upon  every  soldier  who  is  guilty  of  taking,  or  destroying,  private  property ; 
and  any  commissioned  officer,  guilty  of  like  conduct,  or  of  countenancing 
it,  shall  be  deprived  of  his  sword  and  expelled  from  the  camp,  not  to  be 
permitted  to  return. 

On  the  march,  cavalry  advance  guards  will  be  thrown  out,  also 
flank  guards  of  cavalry  or  infantry,  when  practicable.  A  rear-guard 
of  infantry  will  be  required  to  see  that  no  teams,  baggage,  or  disabled 
soldiers  are  left  behind.  It  will  be  the  duty  of  company  commanders  to 
see  that  rolls  of  their  company  are  called  immediately  upon  going  into 
camp  each  day,  and  every  member  accounted  for. 

By  order,  U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.-Gen,  Commanding. 

On  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  January  14,  1862,  General 
McClernand's  column  moved  forward  from  Fort  Jefferson, 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  63 

and  the  columns  under  Generals  Paine  and  Smith,  at  Padu- 
cah,  commenced  similar  movements.  The  three  columns 
combined  made  a  force  of  nineteen  regiments  of  infantry, 
four  regiments  of  volunteer  cavalry,  two  companies  of  reg 
ular  cavalry,  and  seven  batteries  of  artillery. 

At  the  time  this  expedition  commenced  its  march,  the 
Mississippi  River  was  nearly  filled  with  floating  ice,  thus 
making  the  transportation  of  troops  a  serious  difficulty. 
Demonstrations  were  made  by  General  McClernand's 
column,  as  if  with  the  intention  of  attacking  Columbus  in 
the  rear,  by  way  of  Blandville,  Ky.,  while  the  real  object 
was  to  concentrate  with  the  troops  marching  from  Padu- 
cah,  Ky.  The  feint  proved  successful,  and  a  great  alarm 
was  manifested  by  the  rebel  forces  in  Columbus. 

As  General  McClernand's  column  advanced,  it  was  at 
intervals  joined  by  a  regiment  from  the  other  columns,  and, 
on  the  night  of  January  15th,  his  force  encamped  in  line  of 
battle  ten  miles  to  the  rear  of  Columbus,  threatening  that 
post  by  two  roads. 

Here  General  Grant,  who  had  been  with  the  column 
from  Paducah,  came  up  with  this  part  of  the  expedition, 
and  personally  superintended  the  disposition  of  the  troops. 

The  first  division  was  next  morning  marched  to  Milburn, 
apparently  en  route  for  Mayfield  ;  but  instead  of  following 
that  path,  the  troops,  after  passing  through  Milburn,  turned 
northward,  so  as  to  communicate  with  the  force  from 
Paducah;  and,  on  the  17th,  were  within  eight  miles  of 
Lovelaceville.  They  then  turned  westward,  and,  on  the 
nights  of  the  18th  and  19th,  encamped  about  a  mile  from 
Blandville.  On  January  20th,  the  column  returned  to  Fort 
Jefferson.  During  the  interval  between  the  14th  and  20th 
of  January,  the  infantry  of  this  column  marched  over 
seventy-five  miles,  and  the  cavalry  about  one  hundred  and 
forty  miles,  over  icy  and  miry  roads,  and  during  a  most 


64  GENERAL    GRANT 

inclement  season.  This  march  was  a  very  heavy  one  for 
troops  who  had  never  before  been  in  the  field.  The 
reconnoissance  developed  the  fact,  that  the  rebel  army  was 
not  in  large  force  west  of  the  Paducah  and  Mayfield  rail 
road,  except,  perhaps,  in  the  rebel  works  at  Columbus,  and 
led  to  the  discovery  of  valuable  side-roads,  not  laid  down 
in  any  map  of  that  time.  It  also  showed  that  Columbus 
was  far  from  being  as  strong  as  was  supposed,  and  that  it 
could  be  attacked  in  the  rear  by  several  different  roads, 
along  which  large  forces  of  troops  could  be  moved. 

As  soon  as  General  Grant  had  communicated  with 
General  McClernand,  at  his  encampment,  on  the  night  of 
the  15th,  and  had  received  his  report,  he  at  once  discovered 
the  mere  shell  of  rebel  defence  which  held  that  part  of  the 
State  of  Kentucky,  and  allowing  General  McClernand's 
column  to  keep  up  the  appearance  of  an  advance,  he  with 
drew  the  other  two  columns  to  Cairo.  He  had,  in  fact, 
accomplished  and  ascertained  all  that  he  had  desired  when 
he  tirst  moved. 

During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1861,  several  gunboats  had 
been  ordered  to  be  constructed  on  the  Mississippi  River, 
above  Cairo,  and  by  this  time  the  majority  of  them  were 
completed.  In  order  to  obtain  sailors  to  man  these  gun 
boats,  General  Grant  issued  the  following  important  order  : 

HE  AD- QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  CAIRO, 

CAIRO,  January-20,  1862. 
CIRCULAR. 

Commanders  of  Regiments  will  report  to  these  head-quarters,  without 
delay,  the  number  of  river  and  seafaring  men  of  their  respective  com 
mands,  who  are  willing  to  be  transferred  from  the  military  to  the  gun 
boat  service.  Seeing  the  importance  of  fitting  out  our  gunboats  as 
speedily  as  possible,  it  is  hoped  there  will  be  no  delay  or  objections 
raised  by  company  or  regimental  commanders  -in  responding  to  this  call. 
Men  thus  volunteering  will  be  discharged  at  the  end  of  one  year,  or  at 
the  end  of  the  war,  should  it  terminate  sooner. 

By  order,  U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig. -Gen.  Commanding. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  05 

A  few  days  afterwards,  General  McClernand's  forces 
were  withdrawn  from  Kentucky,  and  again  rendezvoused 
at  Cairo,  the  commander  being  placed  in  temporary  charge 
of  the  District  during  the  necessary  absence  of  General 
Grant. 


66  GEXEKAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

EORTS    HENRY    AND   DONELSOX. 

A  FEW  days  soon  developed  the  whole  object  of  the 
movement  made  by  General  Grant's  forces  in  the  western 
part  of  the  State  of  Kentucky.  It  must  also  not  be  for 
gotten,  that  his  troops  still  held  the  posts  at  Paducah  and 
Smithland,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland 
Rivers. 

By  keeping  up  a  false  show  of  an  advance  upon  the  rear 
of  Columbus,  which  had  several  times  been  attacked  in  the 
front  by  armed  vessels,  the  rebels  were  led  to  believe  that 
post  to  be  in  actual  danger,  and  consequently  concentrated 
all  their  available  forces  in  that  vicinity. 

In  the  mean  time,  General  Grant  was  preparing  for  an 
advance  into  the  State  of  Kentucky,  by  an  entirely  dif 
ferent  route,  and,  to  have  his  forces  well  in  hand,  he  issued 
the  following  order  brigading  the  same  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  CAIRO, 

CAIRO,  February  1,  1862. 
[General  Order  No.  5.] 

For  temporary  government,  the  forces  of  this  military  district  will  be 
divided  and  commanded  as  follows,  to  wit : 

The  First  Brigade  will  consist  of  the  Eighth,  Eighteenth,  Twenty- 
seventh,  Twenty-ninth,  Thirtieth,  and  Thirty-first  Regiments  of  Illinois 
Volunteers,  Schwartz's  and  Dresser's  batteries,  &nd  Stewart's,  Dollin's, 
O'Harnett's,  and  Carmichael's  cavalry.  Colonel  R.  J.  Oglesby,  senior 
colonel  of  the  brigade,  commanding. 

The  Second  Brigade  will  consist  of  the  Eleventh,  Twentieth,  Forty- 
fifth,  and  Forty-eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry,  Taylor's 
and  McAllister's  Artillery.  (The  latter  with  four  siege-guns.)  Colonel 
"W.  H.  L.  Wallace  commanding. 

The  First  and  Second  Brigades  will  constitute  the  First  Division  of  the 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  67 

District  of  Cairo,  and  will  be  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  John 
A.  McClernand. 

The  Third  Brigade  will  consist  of  the  Eighth  Wisconsin,  Forty-ninth 
IHinois,  Twenty-fifth  Indiana,  four  companies  of  artillery,  and  such 
troops  as  are  yet  to  arrive.  Brigadier-General  E.  A.  Paine  commanding. 

The  Fourth  Brigade  will  be  composed  of  the  Tenth,  Sixteenth,  Twenty- 
second,  and  Thirty-third  Illinois,  and  the  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry ;  Hou- 
taling's  battery  of  Light  Artillery,  four  companies  of  the  Seventh  and 
two  companies  of  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry.  Colonel  Morgan  com 
manding. 

General  E.  A.  Paine  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  Cairo  and  Mound 
City,  and  Colonel  Morgan  to  the  command  at  Bird's  Point. 

By  order  of  U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig. -Gen.  Commanding. 

JOHX  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

A  subsequent  order  placed  General  E.  A.  Paine  in  com 
mand  at  Cairo. 

This  order  having  been  publicly  announced,  if  it  even 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels — and  there  was  but  little 
doubt  that  such  would  be  the  case — would  give  them  the 
idea  that  the  above  were  all  the  troops  that  comprised 
the  forces  under  General  Grant ;  whereas  the  divisions  then 
organizing  under  Generals  C.  F.  Smith  and  Lewis  Wallace, 
at  the  posts  of  Paducah  and  Smithland,  are  not  mentioned 
at  all. 

General  Grant,  having  secured  his  base,  left  Cairo  on  the 
night  of  February  2<1,  and,  with  Generals  McClernand  and 
Smith's  Divisions,  soon  after  began  moving  from  Paducah 
upon  Fort  Henry,  a  defensive  work  erected  near  the  border 
line  of  the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Tennessee  River,  so  as  to  command  the  stream 
at  that  point.  The  gunboats  had  also  advanced  up  that 
river  from  the  Ohio,  and  at  about  half-past  eleven  o'clock, 
on  the  morning  of  February  6,  1862,  opened  fire  upon  the 
works.  After  about  two  hours  and  a  quarter's  engagement, 
the  rebels,  finding  their  retreat  cut  off  by  the  Union  troops 
in  the  rear,  lowered  their  flag,  and  the  work  and  garrison 


68  GENERAL   GRANT 

surrendered  before  the  military  forces  were  called  into 
action.  General  Grant,  however,  arrived  at  the  fort  with 
in  an  hour  after  it  had  capitulated,  when  Commodore  Foote 
gave  up  the  post  and  his  prisoners  into  the  hands  of  the 
military.* 

General  Grant,  as  a  conqueror,  possessed  the  virtue  and 
true  nobleness  of  character  which  plainly  set  forth  the 
imprint  of  the  hero.  The  captured  General  Tighlman  thus 
speaks  of  him  in  his  report  to  the  rebel  authorities  : 

FORT  HEXRY,  February  9,  1862. 
Colonel  "W.  "W.  MACKALL,  A.  A.-  General,  0.  S.  A.,  Bowling  Green : 

SIR  : — TJirough  the  courtesy  of  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  com 
manding  Federal  forces,  I  am  permitted  to  communicate  with  you  in 
relation  to  the  result  of  the  action  between  the  fort  under  my  command 
at  this  place,  and  the  Federal  gunboats,  on  yesterday. 

At  eleven  o'clock  and  forty  minutes,  on  yesterday  morning,  the  enemy 
engaged  the  fort  with  seven  gunboats,  mounting  fifty-four  guns.  I  prompt 
ly  returned  their  fire,  with  the  eleven  guns  from  Fort  Henry  bearing  on 
the  river.  The  action  was  maintained  with  great  bravery  by  the  force 
under  my  command  until  ten  minutes  before  two  P.  M.,  at  which  time 
I  had  but  four  guns  fit  for  service.  At  five  minutes  before  two,  finding 
it  impossible  to  maintain  the  fort,  and  wishing  to  spare  the  lives  of  the 
gallant  men  under  my  command,  and  on  consultation  with  my  officers, 
I  surrendered  the  fort.  Our  casualties  are  small.  The  effect  of  our 
shot  was  severely  felt  by  the  enemy,  whose  superior  and  overwhelming 
force  alone  gave  them  the  advantage. 

The  surrender  of  Fort  Henry  involves  that  of  Captain  Taylor,  Lieu 
tenant  Watts,  Lieutenant  Weller,  and  one  other  officer  of  artillery ;  Cap 
tains  Hayden  and  Miller,  of  the  engineers ;  Captains  H.  L.  Jones  and 
McLaughlin,  Quartermaster's  Department;  A.  A.-General  McConnico 
and  myself,  with  some  fifty  privates  and  twenty  sick,  together  with  all 
the  munitions  of  war  in  and  about  the  fort. 

I  communicate  this  result  with  deep  regret,  but  feel  that  I  performed 
my  whole  duty  in  the  defence  of  my  post. 

*  It  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  General  Grant's  report  and  order 
(Appendix  C.),  that  the  disposition  of  the  troops  was  perfectly  satisfac 
tory,  and  must  have  secured  a  victory,  even  if  the  gunboats  had. not  accom 
plished  that  object. 


AND    HIS     CAMPAIGNS.  69 

I  take  occasion  to  bear  testimony  to  the  gallantry  of  the  officers  and 
men  under  my  command.  They  maintained  their  position  with  consum 
mate  bravery,  as  long  as  there  was  any  hope  of  success.  I  also  take  great 
pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  courtesies  and  consideration  shoivn  by  Briga 
dier-General  U.  S.  Grant  and  Commodore  Foote,  and  the  officers  under 
their  command. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
LLOYD  TIGHLMAN,  Brig.- Gen.  C.  S.  A. 

The  reduction  of  Fort  Henry  was  but  a  portion  of  the 
grand  work  that  was  to  be  accomplished ;  therefore,  Gene 
ral  Grant  had  no  time  to  waste  in  sitting  and  contempla 
ting  the  result  of  his  movements,  even  if  he  had  so  wished. 
He  at  once  ordered  all  available  troops  in  his  district  to 
be  sent  to  his  command,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  llth  of 
February,  re-enforcements  left  Cairo,  under  orders  to  join 
him  on  the  strip  of  Kentucky  land  which  lies  between  the 
Cumberland  and  Tennessee  Rivers. 

Having  properly  disposed  of  these  troops,  in  brigades 
and  divisions,  he  placed  the  latter  under  the  command  of 
the  following  generals : 

First  Division,  Acting  Major-General  J.  A.  McClernand. 
Second  Division,  Acting  Major-General  C.  F.  Smith. 
Third  Division,  Acting  Major-General  Lewis  "Wallace. 

The  last-mentioned  division  assembled  at  Smithland,  and 
moved  from  that  place  towards  the  objective  point. 

On  the  evening  of  February  llth,  General  Grant  issued 
the  following  important  order : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OP  CAIRO, 
FORT  HENRY,  TENN.,  Feb.  11,  1862. 
[General  Field  Orders,  No.  12.] 

The  troops  designated  in  General  Field  Orders  No.  9  will  move  to 
morrow,  as  speedily  as  possible,  in  the  following  order: 

One  brigade  of  the  First  Division  will  move  by  the  Telegraph  road  di 
rectly  upon  Fort  Donelson,  halting  for  further  orders  at  a  distance  of  two 


0  GENERAL    GBAXT 

miles  from  the  fort.  The  other  brigades  of  the  First  Division  will  more 
by  the  Dover  Ridge  road,  and  halt  at  the  same  distance  from  the  fort, 
and  throw  out  troops  so  as  to  form  a  continuous  line  between  the  two 
wings. 

The  two  brigades  of  the  Second  Division,  now  at  Fort  Henry,  will 
follow  as  rapidly  as  practicable,  by  the  Dover  road,  and  will  be  followed 
by  the  troops  from  Fort  Heiman,  as  fast  as  they  can  be  ferried  across 
the  river. 

One  brigade  of  the  Second  Division  should  be  thrown  into  Dover  to 
cut  off  oil  retreat  by  the  river,  if  found  practicable  to  do  so. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  being  so  variously  reported,  it  is  impossible  to 
give  exact  details  of  attack ;  but  the  necessary  orders  will  be  given  on 
the  field. 

By  order  of  Brig.-G-en.  U.  S.  GRANT,   Commanding. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS  A.  A.-G. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  order,  the  troops  moved 
from  Fort  Henry  on  the  morning  of  February  12,  and 
being  well  started,  were  soon  followed  by  General  Grant 
and  staff.  The  troops  moved  rapidly,  and  by  noon  the  ad 
vance  of  the  First  Division  came  upon  the  rebel  outposts 
and  drove  in  the  pickets. 

General  Grant  soon  got  his  troops  into  line  of  battle,  and, 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  holding  the  high  ground, 
ordered  the  hills  to  be  occupied  by  our  forces.  The 
movement  was  made  in  line  of  battle  order,  and  gallantly 
executed — the  men  pushing  forward  with  even  front 
through  brush,  over  brooks  and  fences,  until  the  desired 
point  had  been  reached — speaking  volumes  for  their  drill 
and  discipline. 

Reconnoitring  forces  were  sent  out  and  slight  skirmish 
ing  ensued ;  but  after  the  woods  had  been  thoroughly 
scoured,  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  all  the  enemy's  main 
forces  were  in  General  Grant's  front. 

The  proper  dispositions  were  made  of  the  troops ;  the 
First  Division  forming  the  right  of  the  extended  line,  the 
extreme  right  resting  on  Dover,  while  the  Second  Division 


AND     HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  71 

occupied  the  left,  its  extreme  extending  to  a  creek  on  the 
north  of  the  fort.  In  this  order  they  passed  the  night, 
without  any  disturbance  worthy  of  mention. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  February,  the  gunboat 
Carondelet,  under  the  direction  of  General  Grant,  approach 
ed  the  fort  by  the  Cumberland  River,  and  an  engagement, 
which  lasted  two  hours,  ensued,  when  the  boat  was  with 
drawn.  The  object  of  this  attack  was  to  give  time  for  the 
other  gunboats  and  the  troops  belonging  to  the  Third 
Division  to  arrive  by  way  of  the  river. 

The  gunboats  and  troops  having  joined  General  Grant, 
preparations  were  made  to  attack  the  rebel  works  by  a 
concerted  action  of  both  the  military  and  naval  forces. 

At  two  o'clock  on  February  14th,  the  gunboats  moved  up 
the  river  and  received  the  fire  of  the  batteries.  The  water 
battery  was  silenced  and  the  gunners  driven  from  their 
position  ;  but  the  plunging  shots  from  the  upper  batteries 
having  crippled  the  flag-ship,  by  shattering  her  wheel  and 
pilot-house,  and  otherwise  injuring  the  other  vessels,  Com 
modore  Foote  ordered  a  withdrawal  from  the  action.  And 
thus  ended  the  contest  on  the  14th. 

General  Grant  now  determined  to  thoroughly  invest  the 
fort,  and  either  reduce  it  by  siege,  or  wait  until  the  gun 
boats  could  be  repaired.  A  change,  for  that  purpose,  was 
therefore  made  in  the  disposition  of  the  troops.  A  sortie 
of  the  enemy  the  next  morning,  however,  caused  General 
Grant  somewhat  to  alter  his  plans  of  operation. 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  a  heavy  body  of  rebel 
troops  attacked  the  extreme  right  of  General  Grant's  line. 
The  suddenness  of  the  attack,  as  well  as  the  overpowering 
numbers  of  the  enemy  on  that  particular  portion  of  the 
line,  caused  the  Union  troops  to  give  way,  after  a  very 
stubborn  resistance,  and  the  rebels  captured  two  batteries 
of  artillery.  Re-enforcements  were  soon  sent  up  by  the 


72  GENERAL    GRANT 

general  in  command,  and  after  a  desperate  struggle,  in 
which  ';oth  armies  displayed  great  bravery  and  endurance, 
all  the  captured  guns  but  three  were  retaken . 

The  rebels  were  then  also  re-enforced,  and  made  a  renewed 
and  violent  attack  upon  the  wearied  troops,  who  were  again 
compelled  to  give  way.  On  rushed  the  enemy,  with  fright 
ful  yells,  flanking  the  Union  forces,  with  every  prospect  of 
final  success.  Other  Union  regiments  were  then  brought 
into  action  ;  but,  by  mistake,  they  took  their  friends  for 
the  enemy,  and  caused  some  serious  loss  in  one  of  the 
wearied  regiments,  thus  increasing  the  confusion.  An 
other  Union  brigade  was  brought  into  action,  with  similar 
results  ;  but  the  rebels  had  so  concentrated  their  forces  that 
the  new  arrivals  also  had  to  fall  back. 

On  another  part  of  the  line,  in  obedience  to  General 
Grant's  orders,  the  Union  troops  had  driven  back  the 
enemy  with  great  gallantry ;  but,  in  spire  of  this  success, 
the  day  appeared  to  be  lost ;  and,  although  to  ordinary  ob 
servers  the  prospect  was  dreary,  General  Grant  seemed  to 
perceive  a  most  encouraging  future. 

The  reports  of  the  various  commanders  were  handed  in 
to  him  at  his  head-quarters,  and  on  comparing  them  he  said 
to  one  of  his  staff:  "  Good !  we  have  them  now  exactly 
where  we  want  them."  General  Grant  then  ordered  General 
C.  F.  Smith  to  make  a  strong  assault  on  the  left  of  the  line, 
and  to  carry  the  position,  no  matter  at  what  sacrifice.  He 
also  directed  certain  movements  on  the  right,  with  the  in 
tention  of  not  only  recovering  the  lost  ground,  but  also  to 
gain  a  solid  position  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works. 

General  Smith  carried  out  his  orders  with  praiseworthy 
gallantry,  and  the  position  was  gained,  after  a  very  despe 
rate  struggle.  The  column  of  attack  moved  forward  with 
out  firing  a  gun,  charged  desperately  upon  the  works,  and 
drove  the  rebels  out  of  them  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  73 

It  was  a  brave  assault,  and  reflects  honor  on  every  man 
engaged  in  it. 

The  position  was  occupied,  and  the  flag  of  the  United 
States  waved  over  the  works ;  but  the  loss  with  which  it 
was  purchased  was  enormous.  The  success,  however, 
which  attended  the  assault,  inspired  the  troops  with  both 
hope  and  courage,  and  all  along  the  lines  rang  the  wildest 
shouts  of  enthusiasm.  The  heights  were  all  carried  by 
storm ;  and  when  the  day  ended,  notwithstanding  the  disas 
ters  that  had  attended  the  contest  in  the  morning,  the  Union 
army  held  a  better  position  than  they  had  ever  had  before. 

The  soldiers  again  slept  on  their  arms,  with  the  intention 
of  renewing  the  attack  at  daybreak ;  but  the  morning  sun 
found  a  flag  of  truce  waving  over  the  enemy's  works.  The 
rebels  wished  to  treat  for  a  surrender. 

The  following  correspondence  then  passed  between  the 
commanding  generals  of  the  contending  armies : 

GENERAL  BUCKNER  TO  GENERAL  GRANT. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  FORT  DONELSON, 

February  16,  1862. 

SIR: — In  consideration  of  all  the  circumstances  governing  the  present 
situation  of  affairs  at  this  station,  I  propose  to  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  Federal  forces  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  agree  upon 
terms  of  capitulation  of  the  forces  and  fort  under  my  command,  and  in 
that  view  suggest  an  armistice  until  twelve  o'clock  to-day. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  B.  BUCKNER,  "Brig. -Gen.  C.  S.  A. 

To  Brigadier-General  GRANT,  commanding  the  United  States  forces 
near  Fort  Donelson. 

To  the  bearer  of  this  dispatch  General  Buckner  gave 
the  following  orders : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,   FORT  DONELSON, 

February  16,  1862. 

Major  Cashy  will  take  or  send  by  an  officer,  to  the  nearest  picket  of 
the  enemy,  the  accompanying  communication  to  General  Grant,  and  re- 
4 


74  GENERAL   GBANT 

quest  information  of  the  point  where  future  communication  may  reach 
him ;  also  inform  Mm  that  my  head-quarters  will  be,  for  the  present,  in 
Dover. 

S.  B.  BUCKNEB,  Brigadier- General. 

Have  the  white  flag  hoisted  on  Fort  Donelson,  not  on  the  battery. 
S.  B.  BUCKNER,  Brigadier- General. 

The  communication  reached  General  Grant  in  due  course 
of  time  ;  but  it  did  not  take  him  long  to  make  up  his  mind 
as  to  his  reply.  In  a  few  minutes,  the  following  document 
was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  bearer  of  General  Buckner's 
message : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMY  IN  THE  FIELD, 
CAMP  NEAR  DONELSON,  Feb.  16,  1862. 
To  General  S.  B.  BKJCKNER,  Confederate  Army : 

Yours  of  this  date,  proposing  an  armistice  and  appointment  of  com 
missioners  to  settle  terms  of  capitulation,  is  just  received.  No  terms 
other  than  an  unconditional  and  immediate  surrender  can  be  accepted.  I 
propose  to  move  immediately  upon  your  works. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.- Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding. 

The  reply  was  far  from  a  pleasing  one  to  the  rebel  com 
mander  ;  but,  on  looking  around  his  position,  he  found  he 
could  not  stand  another  assault,  and  his  followers  were 
anxious  for  a  cessation  of  the  strife.  He  therefore  sent 
the  following  acceptation  of  General  Grant's  terms  of 
capitulation : 

HEAD-QfUARTERS,    DOVER,    TENNESSEE, 

February  16,  1862. 
To  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  U.  S.  A.  : 

SIR: — The  distribution  of  the  forces  under  my  command,  incident  to 
an  unexpected  change  of  commanders,  and  the  overwhelming  force  under 
your  command,  compel  me,  notwithstanding  the  brilliant  success  of  the 
Confederate  arms  yesterday,  to  accept  the  ungenerous  and  unchivalroua 
which  you  propose. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

S.  B.  BUCKNER,  Brig.-  Gen.  C.  S.  A. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  75 

And  thus  fell  into  the  hands  of  General  Grant  and  his 
army,  the  whole  of  the  forces  that  garrisoned  the  works 
of  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson,  with  the  exception  of  one 
small  brigade  of  rebel  troops,  which  escaped  during  the 
night  with  Generals  Floyd  and  Pillow.  The  troops  under 
the  former  general  were  stationed  in  the  extreme  rear  of 
the  works ;  and  when  it  was  ascertained  that  the  day  was 
certainly  lost,  the  two  generals,  with  this  brigade,  left 
General  Buckner  to  please  himself,  as  to  whether  he  would 
run,  fight,  or  surrender.* 

The  rebel  loss  in  the  surrender  of  Fort  Henry,  was  the 
commander,  General  Tighlrnan,  his  staff,  and  about  sixty 
men,  the  rest  of  the  garrison  having  moved  to  support  the 
troops  at  Fort  Donelson.  At  Fort  Donelson  the  rebels 
lost  General  Buckner,  over  thirteen  thousand  prisoners, 
three  thousand  horses,  forty-eight  field-pieces,  seventeen 
heavy  guns,  twenty  thousand  stand  of  arms,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  commissary  stores.  The  rebels  killed  in  the  last 
engagement  were  231,  and  wounded,  1,007,  some  of  whom 
were  prisoners.  The  Union  loss  was  446  killed,  1,735 
wounded,  and  150  prisoners.  The  Union  troops  having  to 
fight  in  an  open  field,  against  the  works  of  the  rebels,  ac 
counts  for  the  disparity  of  numbers  in  killed  and  wounded. 

Two  regiments  of  rebel  Tennesseeans,  who  had  been  or 
dered  to  re-enforce  the  garrison  at  Fort  Donelson,  marched 
into  that  work  on  the  day  after  the  capitulation,  being  un 
aware  of  its  capture.  They  went  along  with  their  colors 
flying  and  their  bands  playing,  and  were  allowed  to  enter 
the  camp  without  any  warning  as  to  the  character  and 
nationality  of  those  who  held  it  in  possession.  The  whole 
force  (1,475  men  and  officers)  were  at  once  captured. 

The  result  of  this  campaign  was  far  more  valuable  than 

*  See  Appendix  D. 


76  GENERAL    GRANT 

would  at  the  first  sight  appear.  The  rebel  line,  at  this  par 
ticular  part  of  the  country,  may  be  said  to  have  extended 
from  Columbus  to  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  a  distance  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles,  with  the  extreme  points  of  each 
wing  resting  on  those  two  places,  which  had  been  strongly 
fortified.  The  reduction  of  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson, 
and  the  opening  of  the  rivers  at  this  point  broke  the  cen 
tre  or  backbone  of  this  whole  line,  and,  as  a  natural  se 
quence,  the  wings  had  to  fall.  In  a  few  days  after,  both 
Bowling  Green  and  Columbus  were  in  the  possession  of 
the  Union  troops,  the  rebels  having  evacuated  those  de 
fences. 

When  the  victory  was  telegraphed  to  Washington,* 
the  following  words  were  added  to  the  dispatch : 

"  The  United  States  flag  now  waves  over  Tennessee.  It 
shall  never  be  removed." 

*  The  following  was  the  report  of  Gen.  Cullum': 

CAIRO,  February  17,  1862. 
To  Major-General  MCCLELLAN  : 

The  Union  flag  floats  over  Fort  Donelson.  The  Carondelet,  Capt.  Walke, 
brings  the  glorious  intelligence. 

The  fort  surrendered  at  nine  o'clock  yesterday  (Sunday)  morning. 
Gen.  Buckner  and  about  fifteen  thousand  prisoners,  and  a  large  amount 
of  materiel  of  war,  are  the  trophies  of  the  victory.  Loss  heavy  on  both 
sides. 

Floyd,  the  thief,  stole  away  during  the  night  previous,  with  five  thou 
sand  men,  and  is  denounced  by  the  rebels  as  a  traitor.  I  am  happy  to 
inform  you,  that  Flag-Officer  Foote,  though  suffering  with  his  foot,  with 
the  noble  characteristic  of  our  navy,  notwithstanding  his  disability,  will 
take  up  immediately  two  gun-boats,  and  with  the  eight  mortar-boats, 
which  he  will  overtake,  will  make  an  immediate  attack  on  Clarksville,  if 
the  state  of  the  weather  will  permit.  "We  are  now  firing  a  national  sa 
lute  from  Fort  Cairo,  General  Grant's  late  post,  in  honor  of  the  glorious 
achievement. 

[Signed]  GEO.  W.  CULLUM, 

Brig.-  Gen.  Vols.  and  U.  S.  A.  and  Chief  of  Staff  and  Engineers. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  77 

For  this  victorious  campaign  General  Grant  was  at  once 
nominated  for,  and  received  the  confirmation  of  the  appoint 
ment  of  major-general  of  volunteers,  to  date  from  the  day 
of  the  surrender  of  Fort  Donelson,  February  16,  1862. 

The  following  is  a  very  amusing  incident  connected  with 
General  Grant's  victory  on  the  rivers  Tennessee  and  Cum 
berland  : 

Several  rumors  had  appeared  in  the  newspaper  press, 
and  had  otherwise  been  publicly  proclaimed,  that  General 
Grant  was  in  the  habit  of  getting  intoxicated.  This  idea 
may  have  arisen  from  his  slovenly  mode  of  attiring  himself, 
or  from  some  other  equally  unreliable  cause.  The  friends 
of  the  Illinois  troops  under  General  Grant's  command, 
being  anxious  for  their  safety,  selected  a  delegation  to  visit 
General  Halleck,  and  have  Grant  removed. 

"  You  see,  General,"  said  the  spokesman,  "  we  have  a 
number  of  Illinois  volunteers  under  General  Grant,  and  it 
is  not  safe  that  their  lives  should  be  intrusted  to  the  care 
of  a  man  who  so  constantly  indulges  in  intoxicating  liquors. 
Who  knows  what  blunders  he  may  commit  ?" 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  General  Halleck,  "  I  am  satisfied 
with  General  Grant,  and  I  have  no  doubt  you  also  soon 
will  be." 

While  the  deputation  were  staying  at  the  hotel,  the  news 
arrived  of  the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson  and  thirteen  thou 
sand  prisoners.  General  Halleck  posted  the  intelligence 
himself  on  the  hotel  bulletin,  and  as  he  did  so  he  remarked, 
loud  enough  for  all  to  hear : 

"  If  General  Grant  is  such  a  drunkard  as  he  is  reported 
to  be,  and  can  win  such  victories  as  these,  I  think  it  is  my 
duty  to  issue  an  order  that  any  man  found  sober  in  St.*> 
Louis  to  night  shall  be  punished  with  fine  and  imprison 
ment." 

The  people  of  St.  Louis  took  the  hint,  and  nearly  all,  that 


8  GENERAL    GEAXT 

night,  entered  into  the  spirit  of  jollification.  The  tempe 
rance  delegation  from  Illinois  were  not  behind  their  neigh 
bors  in  celebrating  the  occasion,  and  with  whiskey  too.  * 

'•  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  contradict  a  charge  of  drunkenness 
made  against  so  successful  a  general  as  Grant ;  but  it  may  not  be  out  of 
place  to  quote  the  following  extract  from  a  private  letter  from  one  of  his 
staff  officers  to  a  friend  in  New  York: 

"  I  have  seen  it  stated  in  the  public  prints  that  General  Grant  is  a 
drunkard.  I  have  seen  him  in  every  phase  of  his  military  life,  and  I  can 
assert  that  the  accusation  is  false.  I  have  been  in  the  same  tent  with 
him  at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night,  and  I  never  knew  him  to  be  under 
the  influence  of  liquor,  or  any  thing  even  approaching  to  it.  I  do  not 
know  what  his  former  life  may  have  been,  but  I  do  know  that  now  he 
is  a  temperate  man." 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  79 


CHAPTER  IX. 

DISTRICT   OF    WEST  TENNESSEE. 

THE  operations  of  the  early  part  of  February,  1862,  had 
brought  General  Grant  and  his  army  into  the  State  of  Ten 
nessee,  and  to  enable  him  to  act  with  promptitude  and  suc 
cess,  it  became  necessary  to  increase  his  line  of  operations. 
Therefore,  on  the  14th  day  of  February,  General  Halleck 
issued  an  order  creating  the  new  district  of  West  Tennessee, 
to  embrace  all  the  country  between  the  Tennessee  and 
Mississippi  Rivers,  to  the  Mississippi  State  line,  and  Cairo, 
making  the  head-quarters  temporarily  at  Fort  Donelson,  or 
wherever  the  general  might  be. 

The  first  order  issued  by  Geueral  Grant,  after  the  as 
sumption  of  the  command  -of  that  district,  was  a  con 
gratulatory  order  to  his  troops  on  their  late  victory.  The 
order  was  worded  as  follows  : 


HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNI 
FORT  DONELSON,  February  17,  1862. 
[General  Order  No.  2.] 

The  general  commanding  takes  great  pleasure  in  congratulating  the 
troops  of  this  command  for  the  triumph  over  rebellion,  gained  by  their 
valor,  on  the  thirteenth,  fourteenth,  and  fifteenth  instant. 

For  four  successive  nights,  without  shelter,  during  the  most  inclement 
weather  known  in  this  latitude,  they  faced  an  enemy  in  large  force,  in  a 
position  chosen  by  himself.  Though  strongly  fortified  by  nature,  all  the 
additional  safeguards  suggested  by  science  were  added.  "Without  a 
murmur  this  was  borne,  prepared  at  all  times  to  receive  an  attack,  and, 
with  continuous  skirmishing  by  day,  resulting  ultimately  in  forcing  the 
enemy  to  surrender  without  conditions. 


80  GENERAL    GBANT 

The  victory  achieved  is  not  only  great  in  the  effect  it  will  have  in 
breaking  down  rebellion,  but  has  secured  the  greatest  number  of  prison 
ers  of  war  ever  taken  in  any  battle  on  this  continent. 

Fort  Donelson  will  hereafter  be  marked  in  capitals  on  the  map  of  our 
United  Country,  and  the  men  who.  fought  the  battle  will  live  hi  the 
memory  of  a  grateful  people. 

By  order, 

II.  S.  GEANT,  Brig.- Gen.  Commanding. 

Although  one  of  the  principal  objects  of  the  campaign — 
the  reopening  of  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  Rivers — 
had  been  accomplished,  General  Grant  did  not  allow  his 
forces  to  remain  long  idle.  After  Fort  Donelson  had  been 
reduced,  the  gunboats,  under  Commodore  Foote,  were 
pushed  up  the  Cumberland  River,  while,  at  the  same  time, 
a  co-operating  land  force,  consisting  of  a  division  of  Gen 
eral  Grant's  army,  marched  along  the  western  bank.  On 
the  20th  of  February,  the  town  of  Clarksville  was  taken, 
without  a  fight ;  and  at  this  depot  were  found  supplies 
enough  for  subsisting  General  Grant's  army  for  twenty 
days.  The  place  was  at  once  garrisoned  and  held,  while 
the  gunboats  moved  still  further  up  the  river,  to  open  the 
way  for  the  army  of  the  Ohio  to. occupy  Nashville. 

The  Union  army  had  by  this  time  advanced  some  dis 
tance  into  the  territory  of  the  rebels ;  and  it  became  neces 
sary,  in  order  to  protect  the  morale  as  well  as  the  persons 
of  those  composing  that  army,  that  a  most  rigid  discipline 
should  be  exacted,  and  a  searching  law  imposed  upon  all, 
both  friend  and  foe.  General  Grant,  therefore,  appended 
to  his  army  orders  of  February  22d,  the  following: 

HE  AD- QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE, 

FORT  DONELSON,  Tenn.,  Feb.  22,  1862. 
[General  Orders,  No.  7.]  [Extract.] 

Tennessee,  by  her  rebellion,  having  ignored  all  laws  of  the  United 
States,  no  courts  will  be  allowed  to  act  under  State  authority ;  but  all 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  81 

cases  coming  within  the  reach  of  the  military  arm,  will  be  adjudicated 
by  the  authorities  the  government  has  established  within  the  State. 

Martial  law  is,  therefore,  declared  to  extend  over  West  Tennessee. 
"Whenever  a  sufficient  number  of  citizens  return  to  their  allegiance  to 
maintain  law  and  order  over  the  territory,  the  military  restriction  here 
indicated  will  be  removed. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

J.  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.  G. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  General  Grant  also  caused  the 
following  order  from  the  head  of  the  department,  to  be 
read  at  dress  parade  : 

HEAD-QUAHTERS,  DISTRICT  OP  WEST  TENNESSEE, 

February,  1862. 

The  following  order  from  the  commander  of  the  department  is  pub 
lished  for  the  information  of  this  command  : 

HE  AD- QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  MISSOURI, 
ST.  Louis,  February  23. 

The  major-general  commanding  this  department  desires  to  impress 
upon  all  officers  the  importance  of  preserving  good  order  and  discipline 
among  these  troops  and  the  armies  of  the  West,  during  their  advance 
into  Tennessee  and  the  Southern  States. 

Let  us  show  to  our  fellow-citizens  of  these  States,  that  we  come  merely 
to  crush  out  this  rebellion,  and  to  restore  to  them  peace  and  the  benefits 
of  the  Constitution  and  the  Union,  of  which  they  have  been  deprived 
by  selfish  and  unprincipled  leaders.  They  have  been  told  that  we  come 
to  oppress  and  plunder.  By  our  acts  we  will  undeceive  them.  We  will 
prove  to  them  that  we  come  to  restore,  not  violate,  the  Constitution  and 
the  laws.  In  restoring  to  them  the  glorious  flag  of  the  Union,  we  will 
assure  them  that  they  shall  enjoy,  under  its  folds,  the  same  protection 
of  life  and  property  as  in  former  days. 

Soldiers !  Let  no  excesses  on  your  part  tarnish  the  glory  of  our  arms !  The 
orders  heretofore  issued  from  this  department  in  regard  to  pillaging, 
marauding,  and  the  destruction  of  private  property,  and  the  stealing  and 
concealment  of  slaves,  must  be  strictly  enforced.  It  does  not  belong  to 
the  military  to  decide  upon  the  relation  of  master  and  slave.  Sucli 
questions  must  be  settled  by  the  civil  courts.  No  fugitive  slave  will, 
therefore,  be  admitted  within  our  lines  or  camps,  except  when  especially 
ordered  by  the  general  commanding.  Women  and  children,  merchants, 
4* 


82  GENERAL   GRANT 

farmers,  and  all  persons  not  in  arms,  are  to  be  regarded  as  non-combatants, 
and  are  not  to  be  molested,  either  in  their  persons  or  property.  If,  however, 
they  assist  and  aid  the  enemy,  they  become  belligerents,  and  will  be 
treated  as  such.  As  they  violate  the  laws  of  war,  they  will  be  made  to 
suffer  the  penalties  of  such  violation. 

Military  stores  and  public  property  of  the  enemy  must  be  surrendered; 
and  any  attempt  to  conceal  such  property  by  fraudulent  transfer  or  other 
wise  will  be  punished.  But  no  private  property  will  be  touched,  unless 
by  order  of  the  general  commanding. 

Whenever  it  becomes  necessary,  forced  contributions  for  supplies  and 
subsistence  for  our  troops  will  be  made.  Such  levies  will  be  made  as 
light  as  possible,  and  be  so  distributed  as  to  produce  no  distress 
among  the  people.  All  property  so  taken  must  be  receipted  fully  and 
accepted  for  as  heretofore  directed. 

These  orders  will  be  read  at  the  head  of  every  regiment,  and  all  officera 
are  commanded  strictly  to  enforce  them. 

By  command  of  Major-General  HALLECK. 

"W.  H.  McLEAN,  Adjutant- General. 

By  order  of  Major-General  TJ.  S.  GRANT. 

J.  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.  G. 

It  will  thus  be  seen,  that,  although  strict  martial  law  was 
to  be  exacted,  and  every  effort  made  to  crush  the  rebellion, 
still  non-combatants  were  to  be  respected  in  their  persons 
and  property. 

After  Nashville  had  been  occupied,  the  gunboats  were 
taken  down  the  Cumberland  River  for  further  operations ; 
and,  among  others,  a  reconnoissance  was  made  up  the  Ten 
nessee  River,  as  far  as  the  northern  State  lines  of  Missis 
sippi  and  Alabama.  It  was  ascertained  by  the  officers  of 
the  fleet,  that  along  the  banks  of  this  river  the  Union  feel 
ing  was  strongly  manifested,  and  that  the  gunboats  were 
welcomed  with  enthusiasm.  It  was  also  discovered  that 
no  large  rebel  force  was  concentrated  near  the  river  itself, 
and  that  a  base  of  operations  might  be  established  near  the 
borders  of  the  southern  Tennessee  State  line.  In  conse 
quence  of  this  discovery,  General  Grant  removed  his  head 
quarters  to  Fort  Henry,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  where 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  83 

he  began  fitting  out  his  expedition  for  operations  at  a  dis 
tance  of  about  one  hundred  miles  further  up  that  stream. 

About  this  time  another  very  strong  effort  was  made,  by 
General  Grant' s  detractors,  to  get  him  removed,  and  it  was 
even  reported  that  he  had  been  deprived  of  his  command. 
Subsequent  events  explained  the  origin  of  the  rumor,  in 
the  fact  that  General  C.  F.  Smith  had  been  placed  in  com 
mand  of  the  troops  in  the  field,  while  General  Grant  was 
still  kept  at  Fort  Henry,  organizing  and  fitting  out  the  forces 
with  which  he  was  about  to  operate.  The  advance  troops 
were  sent  by  transports  up  the  Tennessee  River,  to  Savan 
nah,  Tennessee,  and  while  en  route,  and  even  after  disem 
barking,  General  Smith  held  the  command  until  the  arrival 
of  General  Grant  at  that  place.* 

On  the  llth  of  March,  1862,  General  Grant,  while  at 
Fort  Henry,  was  presented  with  a  handsome  sword,  by  the 
regimental  commanding  officers.  The  handle  of  the  sword 
was  made  of  ivory,  mounted  with  gold,  and  the  blade  was 
of  the  finest  tempered  steel.  Two  scabbards  were  attach 
ed  to  the  sword,  the  service  one  being  of  fine  gilt,  while 
the  parade  scabbard  was  of  rich  gilt,  mounted  at  the  band. 
The  sword  was  enclosed  in  a  fine  rosewood  case,  and  ac- 

*  The  Florence  (Ala.)  Gazette,  of  March  12,  1862,  had  the  following 
very  significant  article : 

"We  learned  yesterday  that  the  Unionists  had  landed  a  very  large 
force  at  Savannah,  Tenn.  "We  suppose  they  are  making  preparations 
to  get  possession  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad.  They  must 
never  be  allowed  to  get  this  great  thorough/arc  in  their  possession,  for 
then  we  would  indeed  be  crippled.  The  labor  and  untiring  industry  of  too 
many  faithful  and  energetic  men  have  been  expended  on  this  road  to 
bring  it  up  to  its  present  state  of  usefulness,  to  let  it  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  to  be  used  against  us.  It  must  be  protected.  We,  as  a  peo 
ple,  are  able  to  protect  and  save  it.  If  unavoidable,  let  them  have  our 
river;  but  we  hope  it  is  the  united  sentiment  of  our  people,  that  we  wiQ 
have  our  railroad." 


84  GENERAL   GRANT 

companied  by  a  suitable  sash  and  belt.     The  inscription  on 
the  sword  was  very  simple,  being  merely : 

"  Presented  to  General  U.  S.  Grant,  by  G.  W.  Graham,  C.  B.  Lagow, 
C.  C.  Marsh,  and  John  Cook,  1862." 

While  the  Tennessee  operations  were  thus  being  carried 
out,  General  Grant  was  not  unmindful  of  the  fact  that  he 
had  the  enemy's  forces  scattered  about  at  posts  nearer  home. 
He,  therefore,  sent  expeditions  and  reconnoitring  parties 
in  all  directions  ;  and  on  the  12th  of  March,  1862,  one  por 
tion  of  his  forces,  consisting  of  artillery  and  cavalry,  at 
tacked  the  enemy's  works  which  were  located  at  a  point 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  Paris,  and  commanding  the 
various  roads  leading  to  that  place.  The  rebels  were  driven 
out,  with  a  loss  of  about  one  hundred  killed,  wounded,  and 
prisoners,  and  the  Union  forces  occupied  the  works. 

As  the  tendency  of  the  movements  of  the  different  ar 
mies  of  the  West  was  towards  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi 
River  and  the  Gulf,  it  became  necessary  that  one  chief 
should  have  the  direction  of  the  whole,  so  as  to  cause  the 
combinations  to  take  place  at  the  proper  time.  Such  being 
the  case,  a  new  department  was  created,  to  be  known  as 
the  "  Department  of  the  Mississippi,"  which  embraced  all 
the  country  west  of  a  line  drawn  north  and  south  through 
Knoxville,  as  far  as  Kansas  and  the  Indian  Territory,  and 
running  north  to  the  lakes.  Of  this  large  department 
General  Grant  commanded  a  very  important  district. 

The  enemy  also  began  concentrating  a  large  force  in  the 
Southwest,  under  General  Albert  Sydney  Johnston,  and 
of  this  force,  General  P.  G.  T.  Beauregard  commanded  the 
troops  which  constituted  the  rebel  army  of  the  valley  of 
the  Mississippi.  The  head-quarters  of  this  army  were  loca 
ted  at  Corinth,  Mississippi,  with  the  intention  of  holding 
the  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad ;  of  pre- 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  85 

venting  any  advance  of  the  Union  forces  below  the  line  of 
the  Tennessee  River  ;  and,  also,  for  the  purpose  of  having 
a  force  ready  to  move  into  Kentucky  and  across  the  Ohio 
River,  if  an  opportunity  should  occur  for  so  doing.  The 
Mississippi  River  was  also  blockaded,  by  fortified  positions, 
at  Island  No.  10,  and  other  points  above  Memphis,  and  at 
Vicksburg,  New  Orleans,  etc.,  below  that  city.  It  was, 
therefore,  considered  certain  by  the  rebels,  that  Corinth 
could  not  be  attacked  by  the  way  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
they  determined  to  mass  their  forces  to  resist  the  advance 
of  Grant's  army  from  the  Tennessee  River. 

As  the  remainder  of  the  troops  under  General  Grant 
passed  up  the  river,  they  encamped  at  Savannah  and  Pitts- 
burg  Landing,  which  positions  were  at  a  distance  of  about 
twenty  miles  from  the  rebel  stronghold  at  Corinth. 

On  the  15th  of  March,  1862,  the  troops  belonging  to  the 
Third  Division  of  Grant's  army  advanced  from  Savannah, 
Tennessee,  into  McNairy  County,  and  struck  the  line  of  the 
Jackson  (Tenn.)  and  Corinth  Railroad,  at  Purdy,  where 
they  burned  the  railroad  bridge,  and  tore  up  the  track  for 
a  long  distance.  This  movement  prevented  a  train,  heavily 
laden  with  rebel  troops,  from  passing  over  that  line  from 
Jackson,  the  cars  arriving  shortly  after  the  bridge  was  de 
stroyed.  As  the  rebels  held  the  road  between  Jackson  and 
Grand  Junction,  thence  to  Corinth,  the  concentration  of  the 
rebel  army  was  not  prevented,  but  only  delayed,  by  the 
destruction  of  this  part  of  the  line. 


86  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  X. 

PITTSBURG  LANDING,  OR  SHILOH. 

THE  rebel  forces  which  had  concentrated  at  Corinth, 
about  the  1st  of  April,  1862,  were  supposed  to  number,  at 
least,  forty-five  thousand  men,  under  General  A.  S.Johns 
ton,  commanding  department;  General  P.  G.T.  Beauregard, 
commanding  army  at  Corinth;  and  Generals  Bragg,  Har- 
dee,  Breckinridge,  and  Polk,  in  command  of  divisions.  It 
was  also  expected,  by  General  Johnston,  that  the  forces 
under  Generals  Van  Dorn  and  Price  would  have  reached 
them  within  a  few  days,  which  re-enforcement  would  have 
swollen  his  numbers  to  at  least  seventy  thousand. 

General  Grant's  forces  had,  by  this  time,  been  nearly  all 
brought  together  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  Savannah,  and 
other  places  within  reach, — the  cavalry  pickets  occupying 
the  outposts  of  the  army. 

On  the  evening  of  April  2,  1862,  the  Union  videttes  of 
the  Third  Division,  who  had  been  stationed  at  Crump's 
Landing,  were  driven  in,  and  a  sharp  skirmish  ensued,  dur 
ing  which  several  were  wounded  and  a  few  taken  prisoners. 

The  next  day,  April  3d,  the  rebel  commanding  general 
issued  the  following  order  : 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI: 

I  have  put  you  in  motion  to  offer  battle  to  the  invaders  of  your 
country,  with  the.  resolution  and  discipline  and  valor  becoming  men, 
fighting,  as  you  are,  for  all  worth  living  or  dying  for.  You  can  but 
march  to  a  decisive  victory  over  agrarian  mercenaries,  sent  to  subjugate 
and  despoil  you  of  your  liberties,  property,  and  honor. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  87 

Remember  the  precious  stake  involved ;  remember  the  dependence  of 
your  mothers,  your  wives,  your  sisters,  and  your  children,  on  the  result. 
Remember  the  fair,  broad,  abounding  lands,  the  happy  homes,  that  will  be 
desolated  by  your  defeat.  The  eyes  and  hopes  of  eight  million  people  rest 
upon  you.  You  are  expected  to  show  yourselves  worthy  of  your  valor 
and  courage,  worthy  of  the  women  of  the  South,  whose  noble  devotion 
in  this  war,  has  never  been  exceeded  in  any  time.  "With  such  incentives 
to  brave  deeds,  and  with  trust  that  God  is  with  us,  your  general  will 
lead  you  confidently  to  the  combat,  assured  of  success. 

By  order  of  G-eneral  A.  S.  JOHNSTON,  Commanding. 

The  rebel  army  of  the  Mississippi  was  then  divided  into 
three  army  corps,  and  was  commanded  as  follows : 

Commanding- General,  General  Albert  Sydney  Johnston. 
Second  in  Command,  General  P.  G.  T.  Beauregard. 
First  Army  Corps,  Lieutenant-General  L.  Polk. 
Second  Army  Corps,  Lieutenant-General  Braxton  Bragg. 
Third  Army  Corps,  Lieutenant-General  W.  J.  Hardee. 
Reserves,  Major-General  G.  B.  Crittenden. 

Against  this  force,  Major-General  Grant  had  hut  a  small 
army  in  comparison,  consisting  of  five  divisions.  The  or 
ganization  of  this  army  was  as  follows : 

Commanding-General,  Major-General  TJ.  S.  Grant. 
First  Division,  Major-General  J.  A.  McClernand. 
Second  Division,  Brigadier-General  W.  H.  L.  Wallace. 
Third  Division,  Maj6r-General  Lewis  Wallace. 
Fourth  Division,  Brigadier-General  S.  A.  Hurlburt. 
Fifth  Division,  Brigadier-General  W.  T.  Sherman. 

On  the  evening  of  April  4th,  the  rebels  made  a  reeon- 
noissance  with  two  regiments,  and  found  the  Union  troops 
ready  to  receive  them.  A  very  slight  skirmish  ensued, 
after  which  the  rebels  retired,  as  they  did  not  wish,  to  bring 
on  a  general  engagement,  for  the  simple  reason  that  the 
expected  forces  under  Van  Dorn  and  Price,  had  not  arrived. 

At  the  same  time  that  the  "  Battle  of  Shiloh"  or  Pitts- 
burg  Landing,  was  opened  by  the  main  body  of  the  rebels, 


88  GENERAL     GRANT 

a  force  of  rebel  cavalry  made  a  dash  upon  the  position  held 
by  the  Third  Division  of  Grant's  army,  at  Adamsville,  a  vil 
lage  situated  at  about  half  way  between  Savannah  and 
Purdy.  This  dash  was  made  to  prevent  General  Wallace 
from  rendering  any  assistance  to  General  Grant's  forces  at 
Pittsburg  Landing. 

Having  thus  glanced  at  the  position  of  affairs  previous  to 
the  opening  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  it  will  plainly  be  seen  that 
the  rebels  held  a  great  advantage  over  the  Unionists,  even 
without  the  assistance  of  Van  Dorn  and  Price.  Johnston  and 
Beauregard  had  resolved  to  attack  Grant  before  Buell 
should  join  him,  for  those  rebel  generals  were  perfectly 
aware  that  Buell  was  advancing  from  Nashville  for  that 
purpose.  The  rebel  commanders  had  set  apart  April  5th, 
for  the  day  of  attack ;  but  in  consequence  of  the  non-arri 
val  of  Price  and  Van  Dorn's  forces,  they  had  resolved  to 
wait  one  day  longer.  This  gave  General  Buell  further  time 
to  reach  Grant ;  and,  doubtless,  saved  the  country  from  an 
irretrievable  disaster,  which  must  have  been  the  result,  had 
the  re-enforcements  not  arrived,  in  spite  of  all  General 
Grant  could  have  done.  A  decisive  defeat  here  would 
have  been  a  crushing  blow  to  the  success  of  the  Union,  and 
would  have  been  a  sad  reward  to  General  (?rant  for  the 
bravery  manifested  by  him  on  the  field. 

At  an  early  hour  on  Sunday  morning,  April  6,  1862, 
the  Union  pickets  were  driven  in,  and  the  rebel  sharpshoot 
ers  began  picking  off  the  officers.  At  about  eight  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  heavy  masses  of  rebel  infantry  were  to  be 
seen  advancing  on  the  front,  and  the  Union  troops  were 
ready  to  receive  them.  There  was  no  surprise ;  but  a 
steady  advance  of  men  in  overwhelming  numbers,  and  with 
an  apparent  determination  to  attack  with  the  greatest  des 
peration.  The  Union  troops  fought  well,  and  fell  back  foot 
by  foot,  until  they  reached  the  river.  They  were  closely  fol- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  89 

lowed  in  their  retreat  by  the  rebel  forces,  who  seemed  to 
gather  more  energy  and  desperation  when  they  found  the 
Union  troops  were  falling  back. 

The  following  account  from  an  eye-witness,  being  the 
first  published  of  this  terrific  battle,  will  be  found  of  great 
interest,  inasmuch  as  it  was  the  most  complete,  as  well  as  the 
first,  epitome  of  the  contest,  that  found  its  way  into  print : 

THE  FIRST  DAY'S   STRUGGLE. 

PITTSBURG,  via  Fort  Henry, 
April  9th,  3.20  A.  M. 

One  of  the  greatest  and  bloodiest  battles  of  modern  days  has  just 
closed,  resulting  in  the  complete  rout  of  the  enemy,  who  attacked  us  at 
daybreak  Sunday  morning. 

The  battle  lasted,  without  intermission,  during  the  entire  day,  and  was 
again  renewed  on  Monday  morning,  and  continued  undecided  until  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  enemy  commenced  their  retreat,  and 
are  still  flying  towards  Corinth,  pursued  by  a  large  force  of  our  cavalry. 

The  slaughter  on  both  sides  is  immense.  We  have  lost  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  from  eighteen  to  twenty  thousand;  that  of  the 
enemy  is  estimated  at  from  thirty-five  to  forty  thousand. 

It  is  impossible,  in  the  present  confused  state  of  affairs,  to  ascertain 
any  of  the  details ;  I,  therefore,  give  you  the  best  account  possible  from 
observation,  having  passed  through  the  storm  of  action  during  the  two 
days  that  it  raged. 

The  fight  was  brought  on  by  a  body  of  three  hundred  of  the  Twenty- 
fifth  Missouri  Regiment,  of  General  Prentiss's  Division,  attacking  the 
advance  guard  of  the  rebels,  which  were  supposed  to  be  the  pickets  of  the 
enemy  in  front  of  our  camps. 

The  rebels  immediately  advanced  on  General  Prentiss's  Division  on  the 
left  wing,  pouring  volley  after  volley  of  musketry,  and  riddling'  our 
camps  with  grape,  canister,  and  shell.  Our  forces  soon  formed  into 
line  and  returned  their  fire  vigorously.  By  the  time  we  were  prepared 
to  receive  them,  the  rebels  had  turned  their  heaviest  fire  on  the  left  cen 
tre,  Sherman's  Division,  and  drove  our  men  back  from  their  camps ;  tlien, 
bringing  up  a  fresh  force,  opened  fire  on  our  left  wing,  under  General 
McClernand.  This  fire  was  returned  with  terrible  effect  ;.ud  determined 


90  GENERAL   GEANT 

spirit  by  both  infantry  and  artillery,  along  the  whole  line,  for  a  distance 
of  over  four  miles. 

General  Hurlburt's  division  was  thrown  forward  to  support  the 
centre,  when  a  desperate  conflict  ensued.  The  rebels  were  driven 
back  with  terrible  slaughter,  but  soon  rallied  and  drove  back  our  men 
in  turn.  From  about  nine  o'clock,  the  time  your  correspondent'  arrived 
on  the  field,  until  night  closed  on  the  bloody  scene,  there  was  no  determination 
of  the  result  of  the  struggle.  The  rebels  exhibited  remarkably  good  gen 
eralship.  At  tunes  engaging  the  left,  with  apparently  their  whole 
strength,  they  would  suddenly  open  a  terrible  and  destructive  fire  on  the 
right  or  centre.  Even  our  heaviest  and  most  destructive  fire  upon  the 
enemy  did  not  appear  to  discourage  their  solid  columns.  The  fire  of 
Major  Taylor's  Chicago  Artillery  raked  them  down  in  scores,  but  the 
smoke  would  no  sooner  be  dispersed  than  the  breach  would  again  be 
filled. 

The  most  desperate  fighting  took  place  late  in  the  afternoon.  The 
rebels  knew  that,  if  they  did  not  succeed  in  whipping  us  then,  their 
chances  for  success  would  be  extremely  doubtful,  as  a  portion  of  General 
Buell's  forces  had  by  this  time  arrived  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
and  another  portion  was  coming  up  the  river  from  Savannah.  They  be 
came  aware  that  we  were  being  re-enforced,  as  they  could  see  General 
Buell's  troops  from  the  river  bank,  a  short  distance  above  us  on  the  left, 
to  which  point  they  had  forced  their  way. 

At  five  o'clock  the  rebels  had  forced  our  left  wing  back  so  as  to  occupy 
fully  two-thirds  of  our  camp,  and  were  fighting  their  way  forward  with 
a  desperate  degree  of  confidence  in  their  efforts  to  drive  us  into  the  river, 
and  at  the  same  time  heavily  engaged  our  right. 

Up  to  this  time  we  had  received  no  re-enforcements,  General  Lewis 
Wallace  failing  to  come  to  our  support  until  the  day  was  over.  Being 
without  other  transports  than  those  used  for  quartermaster's  and  com 
missary  stores,  which  were  too  heavily  laden  to  ferry  any  considerable 
number  of  General  Buell's  forces  across  the  river,  and  the  boats  that 
were  here  having  been  sent  to  bring  up  the  troops  from  Savannah,  we 
could  not  even  get  those  men  to  us  who  were  so  near,  and  anxiously 
waiting  to  take  part  in  the  struggle.  We  were,  therefore,  contesting  against 
fearful  odds,  our  force  not  exceeding  thirty-eight  thousand  men,  while  that  of 
the  enemy  was  upwards  of  sixty  thousand. 

Our  condition  at  this  moment  was  extremely  critical.  Large  numbers 
of  men  panic  struck,  others  worn  out  by  hard  fighting,  with  the  average 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  91 

percentage  of  skulkers,  had  straggled  towards  the  river,  and  could  not 
be  rallied. 

General  Grant  and  staff,  who  had  been  recklessly  riding  along  the  lines 
during  the  entire  day,  amid  the  unceasing  storm  of  bullets,  grape,  and  shell, 
now  rode  from  right  to  left,  inciting  the  men  to  stand  firm  until  our  re-en 
forcements  could  cross  the  river. 

Colonel  Webster,  Chief  of  Staff,  immediately  got  into  position  the 
heaviest  pieces  of  artillery,  pointing  on  the  enemy's  right, while  a  large 
number  of  the  batteries  were  planted  along  the  entire  line,  from  the  river 
bank  northwest  to  our  extreme  right,  some  two  and  a  half  miles  distant. 
About  an  hour  before  dusk  a  general  cannonading  was  opened  upon  the 
enemy,  from  along  our  whole  lino,  with  a  perpetual  crack  of  musketry. 
Such  a  roar  of  artillery  was  never  heard  on  this  continent.  For  a  short 
time  the  rebels  replied  with  vigor  and  effect,  but  their  return  shots  grew 
less  frequent  and  destructive,  while  ours  grew  more  rapid  and  more  terrible. 

The  gunboats  Lexington  and  Tyler,  which  lay  a  short  distance  off, 
kept  raining  shell  on  the  rebel  hordes.  This  last  effort  was  too  much  for 
the  enemy,  and  ere  dusk  had  set  in  the  firing  had  nearly  ceased,  when, 
night  coming  on,  all  the  combatants  rested  from  their  awful  work  of  blood 
and  carnage. 

Our  men  rested  on  their  arms  in  the  position  they  had  at  the  close  of 
the  night,  until  the  forces  under  Major-General  Lewis  Wallace  arrived  and 
took  position  on  the  right,  and  General  Buell's  forces  from  the  opposite 
side  and  Savannah,  were  being  conveyed  to  the  battle-ground.  The  en 
tire  right  of  General  Nelson's  division  was  ordered  to  form  on  the  right, 
and  the  forces  under  General  Crittenden  were  ordered  to  his  support 
early  in  the  morning. 

THE   SECOND  DAY'S   BATTLE. 

General  Buell,  having  himself  arrived  on  Sunday  evening,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  Monday,  April  7th,  the  ball  was  opened  at  daylight,  simultaneously 
by  General  Nelson's  division  on  the  left,  and  Major-General  Wallace's 
division  on  the  right.  General  Nelson's  force  opened  up  a  most  galling 
fire  on  the  rebels,  and  advanced  rapidly  as  they  fell  back.  The  fire  soon 
became  general  along  the  whole  line,  and  began  to  tell  with  terrible 
effect  on  the  enemy.  Generals  McClernand,  Sherman,  and  Hurlburt's 
men,  though  terribly  jaded  from  the  previous  day's  fighting,  still  main 
tained  their  honors  won  at  Donelson ;  but  the  resistance  of  the  rebels 
at  all  points  of  the  attack  was  terrible,  and  worthy  of  a  better  cause. 


92  GENERAL   GEANT 

But  they  were  not  enough  for  our  undaunted  bravery,  and  the  dread 
ful  desolation  produced  by  our  artillery,  which  was  sweeping  them  away 
like  chaff  before  the  wind.  But  knowing  that  a  defeat  here  would  be  the 
death-blow  to  their  hopes,  and  that  their  all  depended  on  this  great  struggle, 
their  generals  still  urged  them  on  in  the  face  of  destruction,  hoping  by 
flanking  us  on  the  right  to  turn  the  tide  of  battle.  Their  success  was 
again  for  a  time  cheering,  as  they  began  to  gain  ground  on  us,  appearing 
to  have  been  re-enforced;  but  our  left,  under  General  Nelson,  was 
driving  them,  and  with  wonderful  rapidity,  and  by  eleven  o'clock  Gen 
eral  Buell's  forces  had  succeeded  in  flanking  them,  and  capturing  their 
batteries  of  artillery. 

They,  however,  again  rallied  on  the  left,  and  recrossed,  and  the  right 
forced  themselves  forward  in  another  desperate  effort.  But  re-enforce 
ments  from  General  Wood  and  General  Thomas  were  coming  in,  regi 
ment  after  regiment,  which  were  sent  to  General  Buell,  who  had  again 
commenced  to  drive  the  enemy. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  General  Grant  rode  to  the  left 
where  the  fresh  regiments  had  been  ordered,  and,  finding  the  rebels 
wavering,  sent  a  portion  of  his  body  guard  to  the  head  of  each  of  five 
regiments,  and  then  ordered  a  charge  across  the  field,  himself  leading;  and 
as  he  brandished  his  sword  and  waved  them  on  to  the  crowning  victory,  the 
cannon-balls  were  falling  like  hail  around  him. 

The  men  followed  with  a  shout  that  sounded  above  the  roar  and  din 
of  the  artillery,  and  the  rebels  fled  in  dismay  as  from  a  destroying  ava 
lanche,  and  never  made  another  stand. 

General  Buell  followed  the  retreating  rebels,  driving  them  in  splendid 
style,  and  by  half-past  five  o'clock  the  whole  rebel  army  was  in  full  re 
treat  to  Corinth,  with  our  cavalry  in  hot  pursuit,  with  what  further  re 
sult  is  not  known,  not  having  returned  up  to  this  hour. 

We  have  taken  a  large  amount  of  their  artillery  and  also  a  number  of 
prisoners.  We  lost  a  number  of  our  forces  prisoners  yesterday,  among 
whom  is  General  Prentiss.  The  number  of  our  force  taken  has  not  yet 
been  ascertained.  It  is  reported  at  several  hundred.  General  Prentiss 
was  also  reported  as  being  wounded.  Among  the  killed  on  the  rebel 
side,  was  their  General-in-Chief,  Albert  Sydney  Johnston,  who  was  struck 
by  a  cannon-ball  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday.  Of  this  there  is  no  doubt,  ' 
and  it  is  further  reported  that  General  Beauregard  was  wounded. 

This  afternoon,  Generals  Bragg,  Breckinridge,  and  Jackson  were  com 
manding  portions  of  the  rebel  forces. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  93 

THE   SUMMING   UP    OP   THE   TWO   DATS. 

There  has  never  been  a  parallel  to  the  gallantry  and  bearing  of  our 
officers,  from  the  Commanding  General  to  the  lowest  officer. 

General  Grant  and  staff  were  in  the  field,  riding  along  the  lines  in  the 
thickest  of  the  enemy's  fire  during  the  entire  two  days  of  the  battle,  and 
all  slept  on  the  ground  Sunday  night,  during  a  heavy  rain.  On  several 
occasions  General  Grant  got  within  range  of  the  enemy's  guns  and  was 
discovered  and  fired  upon. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  McPherson  had  his  horse  shot  from  under  him  when 
along  side  of  General  Grant. 

Captain  Carson  was  between  General  Grant  and  your  correspondent 
when  a  cannon-ball  took  off  his  head  and  killed  and  wounded  several 
others. 

General  Sherman  had  two  horses  killed  under  him,  and  General  McCler- 
nand  shared  like  dangers ;  also  General  Hurlbut,  each  of  whom  received 
bullet  holes  through  their  clothes.  * 

The  publication  of  the  foregoing  account  so  soon  after 
the  battle,  created  a  great  excitement  among  the  citizens 
of  New  York,  and  during  the  day  it  was  telegraphed  to 
the  national  capital  and  to  other  parts  of  the  Union.  The 
proprietor  of  the  newspaper  in  which  it  was  published, 
telegraphed  it  immediately  to  the  President  and  to  both 
Houses  of  Congress,  in  which  it  was  read  aloud.  In  the 
Lower  House,  Mr.  Colfax,  on  asking  leave  to  read  the  dis 
patch,  was  greeted  on  all  sides  of  the  House  with  cries  of 
"  To  the  Clerk's  desk."  The  previous  noise  and  excite 
ment  subsided,  and  as  the  House  listened  to  the  brief  and 
pregnant  details  of  the  bloody  struggle  which  preceded 
the  glorious  victory  over  the  concentrated  strength  of  reb- 
eldom,  all  hearts  were  stilled,  and  the  very  breathing 
almost  suppressed,  till  the  last  word  of  the  dispatch  was 
read.  The  rejoicing  was  great  at  the  victory,  though 
somewhat  saddened  at  the  price  of  blood  with  which  it 
had  been  purchased. 

*  From  the  New  York  Herald, "Wednesday,  April  9, 1862.  See  Appendix  B. 


94  GENERAL    GRANT 

The  following  extract  from  the  official  "War  Bulletin  is 
complimentary  to  the  commanding  generals  engaged. 

"  WAR  DEPARTMENT,  WASHINGTON, 

"April  9,  18G2. 
[Extract] 

****** 

"  That  the  thanks  of  the  Department  are  hereby  given  to  Major-Gen 
erals  Grant  and  Buell,  and  their  forces,  for  the  glorious  repulse  of  Beau- 
regard  at  Pittsburg,  in  Tennessee." 

A  salute  of  one  hundred  guns  was  fired  at  Washington, 
in  honor  of  this  and  other  victories  which  had  recently 
taken  place. 

During  this  engagement,  Major-General  Grant  was 
slightly  wounded  in  the  ankle,  but  not  enough  to  prevent 
him  from  attending  to  his  duties  in  the  field. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  details  of  the  struggle  that  on  the 
first  day,  the  success  seemed  to  be  entirely  on  the  side  of 
the  rebels,  and  on  that  ground,  General  Beauregard,  who 
succeeded  General  Johnston,  telegraphed  to  the  rebel 
government  as  follows : 

CORINTH,  Tuesday,  April  8,  1862. 
To  THE  SECRETARY  OP  WAR,  RICHMOND  : 

We  have  gained  a  great  and  glorious  victory.  Eight  to  ten  thousand 
prisoners  and  thirty-six  pieces  of  cannon.  Buell  re-enforced  Grant,  and 
we  retired  to  our  intrenchments  at  Corinth,  which  we  can  hold.  Loss 
heavy  on  both  sides.  BEAUREGARD. 

From  the  following  correspondence  it  does  not  appear 
that  the  rebels  could  have  moved  about  at  will,  or  had  even 
the  consolation  of  a  victory : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  MISSISSIPPI, 

MONTEREY.  April  8,  1862. 

SIR: — At  the  close  of  the  conflict  yesterday,  my  forces  being  exhausted 
by  the  extraordinary  length  of  the  time  during  which  they  were  engaged 
with  yours  on  that  and  the  preceding  day,  and  it  being  apparent  that 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  95 

you  had  received,  and  were  still  receiving,  re-enforcements,  I  felt  it  my 
duty  to  withdraw  my  troops  from  the  immediate  scene  of  the  conflict 
Under  these  circumstances,  in  accordance  with  the  usages  of  war,  I 
shall  transmit  this  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  ask  permission  to  send  a 
mounted  party  to  the  battle-field  of  Shiloh,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  de 
cent  interment  to  my  dead.  Certain  gentlemen  wishing  to  avail  them 
selves  of  this  opportunity  to  remove  the  remains  of  their  sons  and 
friends,  I  must  request  for  them  the  privilege  of  accompanying  the  burial 
party ;  and  in  this  connection,  I  deem  it  proper  to  say.  I  am  asking  what 
I  have  extended  to  your  own  countrymen  under  similar  circumstances. 

Respectfully,  General,  your  obedient  servant, 

P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD,  General  Commanding. 

To  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  Commanding  United 
States  Forces,  Pittsburg  Landing. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMY  IN  FIELD, 

PITTSBURG,  April  9,  1862. 

General  P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD,  Commanding  Confederate  Army  on  Mis 
sissippi,  Monterey,  Tenn. 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday  is  just  received.  Owing  to  the  warmth 
of  the  weather  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  have  all  the  dead  of  both  parties 
buried  immediately.  Heavy  details  were  made  for  this  purpose,  and  it 
is  now  accomplished.  There  cannot,  therefore,  be  any  necessity  of  ad 
mitting  within  our  lines  the  parties  you  desired  to  send  on  the  ground 
asked.  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  extend  any  courtesy  consistent  with 
duty,  and  especially  so  when  dictated  by  humanity.  I  am,  General, 
respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Maj.-  Ge  n.  Commanding. 

On  the  morning  of  April  8th,  General  Sherman,  the  com 
mander  of  the  Fifth  Division,  at  the  head  of  a  cavalry  force 
and  two  brigades  of  infantry,  made  a  reconnoissance  along 
the  Corinth  road,  where  he  found  the  abandoned  camps  of 
the  rebels  lining  the  roads  with  hospital  flags  for  their 
protection.  Shortly  after  he  came  upon  the  rebel  cavalry, 
which,  after  a  skirmish,  was  driven  from  the  field.  He  then 
destroyed  the  rebel  camp,  including  the  ammunition  in 
tended  for  the  rebels'  guns. 

General  Sherman  found  the  road  to  Corinth  strewed 


96  GENERAL   GRANT 

with  abandoned  wagons,  ambulances,  and  limber-boxes, — 
evident  sign  of  a  hasty  retreat.  The  enemy  had  succeeded 
in  removing  the  guns  ;  but  had  crippled  his  batteries  by 
abandoning  the  limber-boxes  of,  at  least,  twenty  pieces. 
The  retreat  of  the  enemy's  infantry  was  evidently  a  disor 
derly  one,  and  had  not  the  cavalry  been  in  great  force,  to 
protect  the  rear,  might  soon  have  been  turned  into  a  disas 
trous  rout. 

When  the  news  of  this  battle  reached  St.  Louis,  General 
Halleck,  the  commander  of  the  department,  determined  to 
take  the  field  himself,  and  inquire  into  the  real  results  of 
the  "  Battle  of  Shiloh  " 

On  his  arrival  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  he  issued  the  follow 
ing  order  to  the  troops  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  MISSISSIPPI, 

PITTSBURG,  TEXN.,  April  13,  1862. 

I.  The  major-general  commanding  this  department  thanks  Major- 
General  Grant  and  Major-General  Buell,  and  the  officers  and  men  of 
their  respective  commands,  for  the  bravery  and  endurance  with  which 
they  sustained  the  general  attacks  of  the  enemy  on  the  6th,  and  for  the 
heroic  manner  in  which,  on  the  7th  instant,  they  defeated  and  routed 
the  entire  rebel  army.  The  soldiers  of  the  great  "West  have  added  new 
laurels  to  those  which  they  had  already  won  on  numerous  battle-fields. 

*  *.**'.*** 

III.  Major-Generals  Grant  and  Buell  will  retain  the  immediate  com 
mand  of  their  respective  armies  in  the  field. 

By  command  of  Major-General  HALLECK. 

N.  H.  MCLEAN,  A.  A.  G. 

Cavalry  skirmishes  still  continued,  at  intervals,  to  take 
place  along  the  outposts  of  the  Union  army ;  but  nothing 
important  occurred  until  April  17,  1862,  when  the  move 
ment  was  made  towards  Corinth. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  97 


CHAPTER  XL 

MOVEMENT   AND    SIEGE    OF    COJBINTH. 

ON  the  morning  of  April  17,  1862,  a  heavy  cavalry 
force  under  Brigadier-General  Smith,  Chief  of  Cavalry,  was 
detailed  to  make  a  reconnoissauce  along  the  upper  road  from 
Pittsburg  Landing  to  Corinth.  The  force  arrived  within 
two  miles  of  Monterey  without  meeting  any  opposition. 
Several  of  the  men  dismounted  to  act  as  skirmishers,  and 
steadily  advanced  until  they  discovered  the  exact  position 
of  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  when  they  fell  back  upon 
the  main  body  and  returned. 

On  April  24th,  another  similar  reconnoissance  was  made 
under  the  same  commander,  towards  an  elevation  known  as 
Pea  Ridge,  where  a  rebel  camp  was  discovered  and  de 
stroyed,  and  a  few  prisoners  taken. 

The  operations  along  the  Mississippi  River,  had  also 
opened  that  highway  some  distance  below  Island  No.  10, 
and  on  learning  this,  General  Beauregard,  who  had  assumed 
the  sole  chief  command  of  the  rebel  troops,  issued  an  ad 
dress  to  the  planters  as  follows  : 

"The  casualties  of  war  have  opened  the  Mississippi  to  our  enemies. 
The  time  has,  therefore,  come  to  test  the  earnestness  of  all  classes,  and 
I  call  upon  all  patriotic  planters  owning  cotton  in  the  possible  reach  of 
our  enemies,  to  apply  the  torch  to  it  without  delay  or  hesitation.'1 

It  was  thought  that,  by  this  mode  of  procedure,  the 
Union  troops  would  have  less  inducements  to  fight,  as  the 
profit  of  their  victories  would  necessarily  be  greatly  de- 
5 


08  GBNEKAL    GEANT 

creased.  In  this,  however,  the  rebels  had  greatly  de 
ceived  themselves. 

On  April  27th,  Purdy,  on  the  Jackson  and  Corinth  Rail 
road,  was  abandoned  by  the  rebels,  and  a  cavalry  skirmish 
took  place  near  Monterey,  a  village  situated  at  about  ten 
miles  from  Corinth.  Several  prisoners  were  taken,  and 
from  them  it  was  ascertained  that  Beauregard  was  concen 
trating  all  his  available  force  at  Corinth,  which  he  had  for 
tified,  and  where,  he  stated,  he  was  determined  to  make  a 
desperate  resistance.  On  the  29th,  a  similar  affair  took 
place  at  Monterey,  the  rebels  losing  their  camp  and  several 
prisoners. 

A  reconnoissance  in  force  was  made  by  the  right  wing 
of  General  Halleck's  grand  army,  on  April  30,  1862,  to 
a  point  of  the  railroad  four  miles  above  Purdy,  between 
Corinth  and  Jackson,  Tennessee.  The  Union  troops  were 
met  by  a  body  of  rebel  cavalry,  who  fled  to  that  town, 
closely  pursued  by  the  advancing  forces.  Purdy  was  taken 
possession  of  by  the  Unionists,  who  soon,  by  the  destruc 
tion  of  bridges,  etc.,  cut  off  all  railroad  communication  along 
that  route  between  Corinth  and  Northwestern  Tennessee. 
On  this  day  the  siege  of  Corinth  may  be  said  to  have  com 
menced. 

General  Halleck,  wishing  to  have  a  force  of  men  under 
hinj  that  should  be  invincible  in  the  event  of  a  battle 
taking  place,  sent  for  all  the  unemployed  troops  in  his  large 
department,  and  ordered  them  to  be  concentrated  at  Pitts- 
burg  Landing,  which  was  constituted  a  base  of  operations 
in  the  movement  upon  Corinth.  This  force  he  designated 
as  the  "  Grand  Army  of  the  Tennessee,"  a  special  compli 
ment  to  General  Grant,  the  commander  of  the  original 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  The  "  Grand  Army"  was  divided 
into  three  armies,  as  follows : 


AXD   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  99 

The  Army  of  the  Ohio  (centre),  under  General  Buell. 
The  Army  of  the  Mississippi  (left),  under  General  Pope. 
The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  (right),  under  General  Grant. 

This  grand  army  was  composed  of  sixteen  divisions, 
eight  of  which  formed  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and 
were  placed  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
Grant ;  four  under  General  Pope,  and  four  under  General 
Buell.  General  Grant's  command  was,  therefore,  as  large 
as  the  two  other  armies  combined,  and  was  divided  into 
the  "right"  or  active  wing,  under  General  Thomas,  and  the 
"  reserve"  under  General  McClernand. 

About  this  time,  an  almost  universal  hue  and  cry  was 
raised  against  General  Grant,  by  the  friends  of  those 
who  had  fallen  at  Donelson  and  Shiloh.  The  charges 
preferred  against  him  were  incapacity  and  inebriety,  and 
the  persons  who  made  them  had,  doubtless,  been  stirred  up 
by  those  who  wished  to  kill  the  rising  fame  of  the  heroic 
commander.  The  feeling  against  him  even  found  its  way 
into  the  halls  of  Congress,  and  every  effort  was  made  to 
remove  him  from  his  command.  The  Hon.  E.  B.  Wash- 
burne,  representing,  in  Congress,  the  Galena  District — the 
home  of  both  General  Grant  and  himself — promptly  under 
took  his  defence.*  The  Governors  of  the  Western  States 
went  down  in  a  body  to  General  Halleck,  at  Pittsburg 
Landing,  and  tried  to  induce  him  to  send  General  Grant 
away  from  that  army.  But  General  Halleck  knew  his 
worth  too  well  to  adopt  such  a  course.  He,  instead,  gave 
him,  on  May  1st,  a  far  higher  position,  by  placing  him  second 
in  command  to  himself  over  the  grand  army,  allowing  him 
to  retain  the  personal  command  of  his  own  special  forces 
on  the  right,  and  of  the  District  of  the  Tennessee,  in 
which  the  expected  battle  was  to  be  fought. 

*  See  Appendix  F. 


100  GENERAL    GRANT 

General  Beauregard,  being  advised  of  the  manner  of 
procedure  of  the  Union  troops,  and  expecting  a  severe  bat 
tle,  called  for  all  the  re-enforcements  he  could  obtain.  On 
the  2d  of  May,  1862,  a  strong  rebel  force  concentrated  at 
Corinth,  and  to  this  united  command,  he  issued  a  very 
spirited  address. 

Reconnoissances  were  continually  being  sent  out  by  the 
Union  commanders ;  and,  on  the  8th  of  May,  the  cavalry 
penetrated  the  rebel  lines  to  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of 
Corinth.  The  rebels  also  made  several  dashes  upon  the 
Union  lines,  and  even  succeeded  in  causing  the  retirement 
of  some  of  the  forces  on  the  left. 

On  the  llth  of  May,  a  consultation  of  the  chief  officers 
was  held  at  General  HaUeck's  head-quarters,  and  it  was 
determined  that  a  general  advance  should  be  made  of  the 
whole  grand  army.  Shortly  after  this  consultation,  the 
movement  of  the  troops  commenced.  Steadily  and  surely 
did  they  all  push  forward  towards  a  common  centre,  which 
was  understood  to  be  Corinth,  and  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
men  was  only  kept  within  bounds  by  the  knowledge  that 
to  secure  victory,  a  terrific  battle  would  have  soon  to  be 
fought. 

The  rebels,  however,  were  determined  that  the  Union 
troops  should  not  arrive  at  Corinth,  or  in  its  close  vicinity, 
without  a  struggle.  Therefore,  on  May  17,  1862,  General 
Sherman's  Fifth  Division  of  General  Grant's  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  was  brought  into  actual  conflict  with  the  rebel 
troops,  at  Russell's  House,  on  the  road  to  that  city.  The 
rebels  were  forced  to  give  way,  and  fell  back  to  their 
strongholds,  while  the  Unionists  continued  to  occupy  this 
former  rebel  position,  which  they  intrenched. 

When  the  strength  of  Corinth  was  definitely  ascertained, 
it  was  determined  to  reduce  the  fortified  city  by  regular 
approaches.  General  Beauregard  being,  as  an  engineer 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  101 

officer,  fully  aware  of  the  ultimate  result  of  such  a  course 
of  action,  began  to  withdraw  his  garrison  by  the  roads  still 
open  to  him.  This  movement  became  the  more  necessary, 
as  the  U.  S.  naval  forces  were  rapidly  approaching  Mem 
phis  from  above,  and  New  Orleans  and  other  points  of  the 
Mississippi  River  below  had  already  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  the  Unionists.  Should  Memphis  and  Vicksburg  be 
taken  before  his  forces  could  escape  from  Corinth,  it  was 
more  than  likely  that  his  whole  command,  which  was  be 
coming  demoralized,  would  have  surrendered,  rather  than 
endure  the  horrors  of  a  siege. 

To  cover  his  retrograde  movements,  General  Beauregard 
sent  out  a  force  to  resist  the  advance  of  the  Union  troops, 
who  were  about  to  take  possession  of  the  ridge  to  the 
North  of  Phillip's  Creek.  On  May  21st,  the  Second  Di 
vision  of  General  Grant's  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under 
General  T.  A.  Davis,  made  the  necessary  movements  to 
occupy  the  elevation ;  but  found  the  rebels  very  strongly 
posted.  By  a  feint  of  a  retreat  the  garrison  was  brought 
out  of  their  works,  and,  after  a  vigorous  contest,  was  com 
pletely  routed.  The  Union  division  then  took  possession  of 
the  heights,  securing  at  the  same  time  several  prisoners,  with 
their  arms,  camp  equipage,  etc.  A  reconnoissance  was 
then  made  towards  Corinth,  to  find  out  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  who  still  was  able  to  show  a  bold  front. 

The  parallels  of  the  Union  army  began  daily  to  get 
nearer  and  nearer  to  the  city,  and  skirmishing  was  a  con 
stant  occurrence  along  the  whole  line.  A  sharp  fight  be 
tween  General  Sherman's  division  and  the  rebels  took 
place  on  May  27th  ;  but  as  the  latter,  notwithstanding  that 
they  were  in  larger  force  than  the  Unionists,  retreated,  it  is 
now  plainly  to  be  seen  that  the  contest  was  merely  for  the 
purpose  of  delaying  the  advance  of  the  Union  army. 

General  Sherman,  in  his  report  of  the  engagement,  says : 


102  GENERAL   GRANT 

"The  enemy  was  evidently  surprised,  and  only  killed  two  of  our  men, 
and  wounded  nine.  After  he  had  reached  the  ridge,  he  opened  on  us 
with  a  two-gun  battery  on  the  right  and  another  from  the  front  and  left, 
doing  my  brigades  but  little  harm,  but  killing  three  of  General  Veatch's 
men.  With  our  artillery  we  soon  silenced  his,  and  by  ten  A.  M.  we  were 
masters  of  the  position.  Generals  Grant  and  Thomas  were  present  during 
the  affair  and  witnessed  the  movement,  which  was  admirably  executed,  all 
the  officers  and  men  keeping  their  places  like  real  soldiers." 

The  above  extract  plainly  removes  the  impression  which 
had  been  formed  that  General  Grant  had  been  relieved  from 
actual  command  in  the  field  for  the  result  of  the  first  day's 
engagement  at  Shiloh. 

Three  columns  of  Union  troops  advanced  the  next  day, 
under  the  personal  superintendence  of  General  Grant,  to 
within  gunshot  of  the  rebel  works  at  Corinth,  and  made  a 
reconnoissance  in  force.  The  rebels  hotly  contested  the 
ground ;  but  being  closely  pressed  had  to  fall  back,  with 
considerable  loss.  The  column  on  the  left  encountered  the 
greatest  opposition. 

The  following  account  of  the  advance  is  given  by  one 
who  participated  in  the  siege  : 

Though  the  task  be  a  most  difficult  one,  yet  I  will  try  to  give  your 
readers  a  faint  idea  of  the  scenes  which  an  advance  presents. 

First,  the  enemy  must  be  driven  back.  Regiments  and  artillery  are 
placed  in  position,  and  generally  the  cavalry  is  in  advance,  but  when 
the  opposing  forces  are  in  close  proximity  the  infantry  does  the  work. 
The  whole  front  is  covered  by  a  cloud  of  skirmishers,  and  then  reserves 
formed,  and  then,  in  connection  with  the  main  line,  they  advance.  For 
a  moment,  all  is  still  as  the  grave  to  those  in  the  background ;  as  the 
line  moves  on,  the  eye  is  strained  in  vain  to  follow  the  skirmishers  as 
they  creep  silently  forward  ;  then,  from  some  point  of  the  line,  a  single 
rifle  rings  through  the  forest,  sharp  and  Aear,  and.  as  if  in  echo,  another 
answers  it.  In  a  mome'nt  more  the  whole  line  resounds  with  the  din  of 
arms.  Here  the  fire  is  slow  and  steady,  there  it  rattles  with  fearful 
rapidity,  and  this  mingled  with  the  great  roar  of  the  reserves  as  the 
skirmishers  chance  at  any  point  to  be  driven  in;  and  if,  by  reason  of 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  103 

superior  force,  these  reserves  fall  back  to  the  main  force,  then  every 
nook  and  corner  seems  full  of  sound.  The  batteries  open  their  terrible 
voices,  and  their  shells  sing  horribly  while  winging  their  flight,  and 
their  dull  explosion -speaks  plainly  of  death;  their  canister  and  grape  go 
crashing  through  the  trees,  rifles  ring,  the  muskets  roar,  and  the  din  is  ter 
rific.  Then  the  slackening  of  the  fire  denotes  the  withdrawing  of  the  one 
party,  and  the  more  distant  picket-firing,  that  the  work  was  accomplish 
ed.  The  silence  becomes  almost  painful  after  such  a  scene  as  this,  and 
no  one  can  conceive  of  the  effect  who  has  not  experienced  it ;  it  cannot 
be  described.  The  occasional  firing  of  the  pickets,  which  shows  that 
the  new  lines  are  established,  actually  occasions  a  sense  of  relief.  The 
movements  of  the  mind  under  such  circumstances  are  sudden  and 
strong.  It  awaits  with  intense  anxiety  the  opening  of  the  contest,  it 
rises  with  the  din  of  battle,  it  sinks  with  the  lull  which  follows  it,  and 
finds  itself  in  fit  condition  to  sympathize  most  deeply  with  the  torn  and 
bleeding  ones  that  are  fast  being  borne  to  the  rear. 

When  the  ground  is  clear,  then  the  time  for  working  parties  has 
arrived,  aud  as  this  is  the  description  of  a  real  scene,  let  me  premise 
that  the  works  were  to  reach  through  the  centre  of  a  large  open  farm  of 
at  least  three  hundred  acres,  surrounded  by  woods,  one  side  of  it  being 
occupied  by  rebel  pickets.  These  had  been  driven  back  as  I  have 
described. 

The  *1ine  of  the  works  was  selected,  and  at  the  word  of  command 
three  thousand  men,  with  axes,  spades,  and  picks,  stepped  out  into  the 
open  field  from  their  cover  in  the  woods ;  in  almost  as  short  a  time  as  it 
takes  to  tell  it,  the  fence-rails  which  surrounded  and  divided  three 
hundred  acres  into  convenient  farm-lots  were  on  the  shoulders  of  the 
men,  and  on  the  way  to  the  intended  line  of  works.  In  a  few  moments 
more  a  long  line  of  crib-work  stretches  over  the  slope  of  the  hill,  as  if 
another  anaconda  fold  had  been  twisted  around  the  rebels.  Then  as 
for  a  time,  the  ditches  deepen,  the  cribs  fill  up,  the  dirt  is  packed  on  the 
outer  side,  the  bushes  and  all  points  of  concealment  are  cleared  from  the 
front,  and  the  centre  divisions  of  our  army  had  taken  a  long  stride  to 
wards  the  rebel  works.  The  siege-guns  are  brought  up  and  placed  in 
commanding  positions.  A  log  house  furnishes  the  hewn  and  seasoned 
timber  for  the  platforms,  and  Uae  plantation  of  a  Southern  lord  has  been 
thus  speedily  transferred  into  one  of  Uncle  Sam's  strongholds,  where 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  float  proudly.  Thus  had  the  whole  army  (under 
the  immediate  charge  of  General  Grant,  the  commander  in  the  field) 
worked  itself  up  into  the  very  teeth  of  the  rebel  works,  and  rested  there 


104  GENERAL   GRANT 

on  Thursday  night,  the  twenty-eighth,  expecting  a  general  engagement 
at  any  moment. 

Soon  after  daylight,  on  Friday  morning,  the  army  was  startled  by  rapid 
and  long-continued  explosions,  similar  to  musketry,  but  much  louder. 
The  conviction  flashed  across  my  mind  that  the  rebels  were  blowing  up 
their  loose  ammunition  and  leaving.  The  dense  smoke  arising  in  the 
direction  of  Corinth  strengthened  this  belief,  and  soon  the  whole  army 
was  advancing  on  a  grand  reconnoissance.  The  distance  through  the 
woods  was  short,  and  in  a  few  minutes  shouts  arose  from  the  rebel  lines, 
which  told  that  our  army  was  in  the  enemy's  trenches.  Regiment  after 
regiment  pressed  on,  and  passing  through  extensive  camps  just  vacated, 
soon  reached  Corinth  and  found  half  of  it  in  flames.  Beau  regard  and 
Bragg  had  left  the  afternoon  before  and  the  rear-guard  had  passed  out 
of  the  town  before  daylight,  leaving  enough  stragglers  to  commit  many 
acts  of  vandalism,  at  the  expense  of  private  property.  They  burned 
churches  and  other  public  buildings,  private  goods,  stores  and  dwell 
ings,  and  choked  up  half  the  wells  in  town.  In  the  camps  imme 
diately  around  the  town,  there  were  few  evidences  of  hasty  retreat,  but 
on  the  right  flank  where  Price  and  Yan  Dora  were  encamped,  the 
destruction  of  baggage  and  stores  was  very  great,  showing  precipitate 
flight.  Portions  of  our  army  were  immediately  put  in  pursuit. 

It  seems  that  it  was  the  slow  and  careful  approach  of  General  Halleck 
which  caused  the  retreat.  They  would  doubtless  have  remained  had 
we  attacked  their  positions  without  first  securing  our  rear,  but  they 
could  not  stand  a  siege.  Their  position  was  a  most  commanding  one 
and  well  protected.* 

The  works  were  first  occupied  by  the  Fifth  Division  of 
General  Grant's  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Major-General  William  T.  Sherman,  which  body 
of  troops  had,  between  the  interval  of  leaving  Shiloh  and 
the  occupation  of  Corinth,  occupied  and  strongly  intrench- 
ed  seven  distinct  camps,  in  a  manner  to  excite  the  admira 
tion  and  high  commendation  of  the  commanding  generals. 
This  division  had  occupied  the  right  flank  of  the  grand 
army  during  the  whole  advance,  and  was  consequently  the 
more  exposed  by  their  position  ;  having  to  detail  a  larger 

*  Corinth  Correspondence  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette. 


- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  105 

guard  and  perform  more  work  than  their  companion  divis 
ions. 

Shortly  before  midnight,  on  May  29th,  1862,  the  remain 
ing  portion  of  the  rebel  army  was  withdrawn  from  the 
works,  leaving  their  pickets  unprotected.  The  evacuation 
of  Corinth  at  the  time,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done, 
was  a  clear  back  down  from  the  high  and  arrogant  tone 
heretofore  used  by  the  rebels.  They  had  chosen  their  own 
ground,  which  they  had  fortified,  occupying  a  very  large 
force  for  two  months  in  the  construction  of  their  defences, 
and  it  was  naturally  supposed  that  the  works  were  fully 
strong  enough  to  secure  the  defeat  of  the  assailants. 

Corinth  was,  indeed,  a  stronghold,  and  its  importance  to 
whichever  side  should  hold  it  cannot  be  over  estimated. 
As  an  evidence  of  that  fact,  it  was  kept  by  the  United 
States  forces  as  a  strong  military  post  until  the  begin 
ning  of  1864,  and  a  proper  garrison  there  retained. 

The  following  description  of  the  occupation  of  Corinth, 
written  on  the  spot,  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  our 

readers : 

CORINTH,  May  30,  1862. 

The  siege  of  Corinth,  begun  on  April  30th,  ended  this  morning. 
About  half-past  six,  in  the  morning,  orders  to  march  were  received,  and 
at  seven,  the  greater  portion  of  the  men  were  outside  their  breastworks, 
cautiously  feeling  their  way  through  the  dense  underbrush  which  inter 
vened  between  our  fortifications  hnd  the  defences  of  Corinth  ;  but  after 
proceeding  three-eighths  of  a  mile,  they  came  to  an  open  space,  and  the 
enemy's  works,  abandoned  and  desolate,  burst  upon  their  astonished 
gaze.  The  sight  was  entirely  unexpected. 

The  opening  was  made  by  the  rebels,  who  had  felled  the  timber  for 
about  three  hundred  yards  in  front  of  their  intrenchments,  for  the 
double  purpose  of  obstructing  our  progress  and  giving  them  a  fair  view 
of  our  column  when  within  rifle-range. 

The  view  from  the  highest  point  of  the  rebel  works,  immediately  in 

front  of  Davies's,  now  Rosecrans's  division,  of  Grant's  Army  of  the 

Tennessee,   was  truly  grand.     The  circle  of  vision  was  at  least  five 

miles  in  extent,  stretching  from  the  extreme  right  to  the  extreme  left, 

5* 


106  GENEKAL    GEAST 

and  the  magnificent  display  of  banners,  the  bristling  of  shining 
bayonets,  and  the  steady  step  of  the  handsomely  attired  soldiers,  pre 
sented  a  pageant  which  has  seldom  been  witnessed  on  this  continent. 

Upon  many  of  the  regimental  ensigns  were  printed  '  Wilson's 
oreek,'  'Dug  Springs,  'Donelson,'  or  'Shiloh,'  and  one  or  two  wave  all 
these  mottoes  in  the  breeze.  Those  who  passed  through  all  these 
trying  ordeals,  unscathed,  or  who  received  honorable  wounds  in  either, 
in  future  can  look  back  upon  a  life  devoted  to  their  country's  service, 
and  feel  that  proud  satisfaction  which  is  denied  to  others  not  less  patri 
otic,  but  less  fortunate.  In  future  pageants  in  honor  of  the  nation's 
birthday,  when  the  last  relics  of  former  struggles  have  become  extinct, 
and  when  these  shall  be  bowed  down  with  age,  they  will  be  their 
country's  honored  guests,  and  receive  that  consideration  due  their 
noble  deeds. 

Notwithstanding  the  desire  of  the  soldiers  to  possess  themselves  of 
-relics  of  the  retreating  foe,  perfect  order  was  maintained  in  the  lines. 
Your  correspondent  wandered  around  the  large  area  lately  occupied  by 
the  rebel  troops,  but  found  few  trophies  which  were  worth  preserving. 
A  broken  sword  and  double-barreled  shot-gun  were  picked  up  after  an 
hour's  search,  but  these  were  seized  by  the  Provost-Marshal  at  the 
Landing,  and  confiscated. 

The  enemy,  with  the  exception  of  the  rear-guard,  had  left  with  the 
greatest  deliberation.  A  few  worthless  tents,  some  heavy  kettles,  a 
large  number  of  old  barrels,  tin  cups,  and  articles  of  this  description, 
were  the  only  camp  equipages  not  taken  away. 

There  is  nothing  so  desolate  as  a  newly  deserted  camp.  But  yes 
terday,  and  all  was  life  and  animation ;  to-day  the  white  tents 
have  disappeared,  the  heavy  footsteps  have  ceased  to  sound,  and 
no  evidence,  save  the  desolated,  hard-trodden  ground,  and  a  few 
tent-stakes,  remain  to  tell  the  story. 

Nothing  surprised  me  more  than  the  character  of  the  rebel  works. 
From  the  length  of  time  Beauregard's  army  had  been  occupying 
the  place,  with  a  view  to  its  defence,  and  from  the  importance  the  rebel 
general  attached  to  it,  in  his  dispatch  which  was  intercepted  by  General 
Mitchel,  I  had  been  led  to  suppose  that  the  fortifications  were  really 
formidable.  But  such  was  not  the  case.  I  admire  the  engineering 
which  dictated  the  position  of  the  intrenchments,  and  the  lines  they  oc 
cupied,  but  that  is  ah1  that  deserves  the  slightest  commendation. 

But  a  single  line  of  general  fortifications  had  been  constructed,  and 
these  were  actually  less  formidable  than  those  thrown  up  by  our  forces  lueH 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  107 

night,  nfter  occupying  a  new  position.  There  were,  besides  this  gon-e- 
ral  line,  occasional  rifle-pits,  both,  outside  and  inside  the  works,  but  they 
could  have  been  constructed  by  three  relief  details  in  six  hours. 

The  only  fortifications  really  worthy  the  name,  were  a  few  points 
where  batteries  were  located,  but  these  could  not  have  resisted  our  Par 
rot  arid  siege-guns  half  an  hour.  Yet  the  positions  occupied  by 
the  breastworks  were  capable  of  being  strengthened  so  as  to  render 
them  almost  invulnerable  to  a  front  attack,  and  no  little  difficulty  would 
have  been  experienced  in  flanking  the  position,  either  on  the  right 
or  left. 

The  works  were  on  the  brow  of  a  ridge,  considerably  higher  than  any 
in  the  surrounding  country,  and  at  the  foot  of  it  was  a  ravine,  correspond 
ingly  deep.  The  zigzag  course  of  the  line  gave  the  defenders  the  com 
mand  of  all  the  feasible  approaches,  and  hundreds  could  have  been 
mowed  down  at  ever^-  step  made  by  an  assailing  army,  even  from  the 
imperfect  earth-banks  which  had  been  thrown  up. 

Had  a  fight  occurred,  it  must  have  been  decided  by  artillery,  and  in 
this  respect  we  had  the  advantage,  both  in  number  and  calibre  of  our 
guns  ;  but  had  they  improved  the  advantages  they  possessed,  and  forti 
fied  as  men  who  really  intended  to  make  a  stubborn  defence,  this  supe 
riority  might  have  been  overcome. 

The  conduct  of  the  rebels  is,  indeed,  beyond  comprehension.  Here  is 
a  place  commanding  several  important  railroads ;  a  place,  the  seizure  of 
which  Beauregard  confessed,  in  his  celebrated  dispatch  to  Davis,  would 
open  to  us  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi ;  a  position  capable  of  as  stubborn 
a  defence  as  Sebastopol,  and  yet  scarcely  an  effort  is  made  to  fortify 
it,  and  its  possessors  fly  at  our  approach.  A  stubborn  resistance,  even 
though  followed  by  defeat,  would  command  respect  abroad ;  but  a  suc 
cession  of  evacuations,  upon  the  slightest  approach  of  danger,  can  insure 
only  contempt. 

The  troops  from  every  direction  marched  toward  a  common  centre — 
Corinth  ;  and  as  they  neared  each  other  and  friends  recognized  friends, 
whom  they  had  not  seen  for  weeks  or  months,  though  separated  but  a 
few  miles,  greetings  were  exchanged,  and  as  regiments  met  for  the  first 
time  since  leaving  tho  bloody  fields  of  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  cheer  after 
cheer  resounded  through  the  forests,  and  were  echoed  and  re-echoed  by 
the  hills,  as  if  the  earth  itself  desired  to  prolong  the  sound. 

As  no  rain  had  fallen  for  some  time,  the  roads  were  exceedingly 
dusty,  as  was  the  whole  camping-ground,  which  had  been  trampled 
solid  by  eighty  thousand  rebels.  But  all  forgot  obstacles  and  annoyan- 


108  GENERAL   GRANT 

ces  in  the  eagerness  to  see  the  town  before  which  they  had  lain  so  long. 
A  little  after  eight  o'clock,  a  portion  of  the  left  and  centre  filed  in,  and 
were  met  by  Mr.  Harrington,  the  Mayor's  clerk,  who  asked  protection 
for  private  property,  and  for  such  of  the  citizens  as  had  determined  to 
remain.  It  is  needless  to  add  that  his  request  was  granted,  and  guards 
stationed  at  every  door,  as  the  object  of  our  march  is  not  to  plunder,  but 
to  save.* 

Corinth  is  built  upon  low  lands  and  clay  soil,  so  that  in 
wet  weather  the  place  may  very  properly  be  denominated 
a  swamp ;  but  the  soil  is  as  easily  affected  by  the  drought 
as  by  rains.  Just  outside  of  the  town  are  the  ridges, 
which  might  be  appropriately  denominated  hills,  and  upon 
which  second,  third,  and  fourth  lines  of  defences  could  have" 
been  erected.  The  highest  lands  are  in  the  direction  of 
Farmington  on  the  east,  and  College  Hill  on  the  south 
west.  The  town  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Mobile 
and  Ohio  and  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroads,  both 
very  important  lines  of  communication,  and  indispensable 
to  the  enemy.  The  town  is  nearly  all  north  of  the  Mem 
phis  and  east  of  the  Mobile  road.  Corinth  was  at  one  time  a 
pleasant  country  village,  of  about  1,200  inhabitants,  and  the 
houses  were  built  in  the  style  only  used  in  the  South. 

The  rebel  generals  all  had  their  head-quarters  in  houses 
during  the  siege,  generally  occupying  the  finest  residences 
in  the  place.  Beauregard's  was  on  the  east  of  the  Purdy 
road,  and  at  the  outskirts  of  the  village.  The  rebel  chief 
tain  was  evidently  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  lux 
uries  of  life.  Telegraph  wires  run  in  every  direction  from 
the  building,  but  the  wires  were  all  cut,  and  the  instruments 
t.iken  away  at  the  time  the  place  was  evacuated ;  so  that 
when  our  army  took  possession  of  Corinth,  they  could  only 
judge  of,  but  could  not  use,  these  means  of  communication. 

The  Union  forces  engaged  in  the  pursuit,  which  was  con- 

*  Army  correspondence. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  100 

ducted  with  great  rapidity  and  skill,  followed  the  rebels 
far  down  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad,  through  a  diffi 
cult  country  much  obstructed  by  the  enemy.  On  the  after 
noon  of  the  30th  of  May  the  Union  forces,  which  were  sent 
out  on  the  night  of  May  28th  to  cut  off  the  rebel  retreat, 
reached  Boonesville,  Miss.,  and  there  destroyed  the  track 
in  many  places  both  north  and  south  of  the  town,  blew  up 
one  culvert,  burned  the  depot,  locomotives  and  a  train  of 
twenty-six  cars  loaded  with  supplies,  destroyed  a  quantity 
of  arms,  including  artillery,  clothing,  and  ammunition,  be 
sides  taking  a  number  of  prisoners  who  belonged  to  the 
rear  of  the  retreating  forces.  So  desolated  had  the  coun 
try  become,  that  the  pursuers  had  to  live  upon  meat  alone, 
such  as  they  could  find  around  them  on  their  line  of  travel. 
Colonel  Elliott,  the  commander  of  the  cavalry,  not  having 
any  wagons  with  him,  could  not  collect  food  and  forage : 
he,  however,  found  a  few  sheep,  which  he  devoted  to  the 
use  of  his  followers  ;  but  the  flesh  was  very  poor  and  tough. 
The  prisoners  he  captured  were  mostly  infantry,  and  find 
ing  that  he  would  have  very  great  difficulty  in  looking  after 
them,  if  he  took  them  along  with  him,  he  merely  disarmed 
them  and  sent  them  about  their  business. 

Plans  were  laid  by  the  rebels  to  cut  off  Colonel  Elliott's 
command  on  its  return;  but  the  colonel  judiciously  chose 
another  road,  by  which  he  escaped  the  snare,  and  arrived 
safely  at  Tuscumbia  on  June  1st,  1862.  The  route  taken 
in  the  advance  was  by  luka,  Eastport,  and  Fulton,  thence 
along  the  Tuscurabia  and  Jacinto  road  to  Cartersville, 
thence  to  Padens  and  Boouesville,  where  the  damage  was 
principally  inflicted  on  the  rebels.  The  return  was  by  the 
road  to  Tuscumbia. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  1862,  General  Halleck  reported  that 
the  rebels  had  fallen  back  fifty  miles  from  Corinth,  by  the 
nearest  railroad  route,  and  seventy  miles  by  the  wagon 


110  GENERAL    GRANT 

road,  and  that  the  estimated  rebel  loss,  during  the  cam 
paign  near  that  place,  was  about  forty  thousand  men.  He 
also  reported  a  state  of  demoralisation  existing  in  General 
Beauregard's  army,  and  that  the  prisoners  taken  in  many 
cases  begged  that  they  should  not  be  exchanged,  as  they 
had  purposely  allowed  themselves  to  be  captured. 

Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  on  the  railroad  from  Jackson,  Tenn., 
to  New  Orleans,  was  taken  possession  of  by  General  Sher 
man's  forces  of  Grant's  Army,  on  June  20th,  1862;  and  to 
prevent  surprise  by  the  rebels,  several  pieces  of  trestle- 
work  on  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad  were  destroyed. 
The  rebels,  before  evacuating  the  place,  had  removed  their 
machinery  for  the  repairing  and  making  of  arms  to  Atlanta, 
in  Georgia. 

The  campaign  in  this  part  of  the  country  having  virtual 
ly  ended,  General  Halleck  was,  on  July  llth,  1862,  ordered 
to  Washington,  to  assume  the  position  of  General-in-Chief, 
and,  on  the  17th,  took  leave  of  his  army  in  a  farewell  ad 
dress,  congratulating  the  officers  and  soldiers  belonging  to 
it,  on  their  endurance  and  bravery. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  Ill 


CHAPTER    XII. 

THE  DEPARTMENT    OF    WEST   TENNESSEE. MEMPHIS. 

THE  removal  of  General  Halleck  from  the  command  of  so 
large  a  tract  of  country,  naturally  led  to  a  reorganization 
of  the  forces  in  the  West,  and  new  departments  were 
created  out  of  the  original  Department  of  the  Mississippi. 
General  Buell's  forces  were  separated,  and  formed  into  the 
Department  of  the  Ohio,  embracing  the  district  of  country 
north  and  east  of  the  Tennessee  River.  Missouri  was  also 
formed  into  a  distinct  department. 

All  the  country  from  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  west 
ern  shores  of  the  Tennessee,  Cairo,  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson,  the  western  shore  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and 
the  northern  part  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  was  formed 
into  the  "Department  of  West  Tennessee."  Of  this  de 
partment,  General  Grant  was  made  the  commander,  with 
his  head-quarters  at  Corinth. 

Memphis,  which  had  surrendered  on  June  6th,  1862,  soon 
after  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  and  had  been  occupied  at 
once  by  the  Union  forces,  now  formed  part  of  this  depart 
ment,  and  became,  by  this  time,  a  very  important  post, 
both  as  a  base  of  operations  and  of  supplies.  General 
Grant,  while  commanding  the  district,  visited  the  post  as 
soon  as  convenient,  and  placed  it  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
a  provost-marshal.  Among  other  orders,  he  issued  the 
following,  as  it  was  necessary  to  prevent  the  co-operation 
between  the  latent  rebels  in  that  city  with  those  in  arms 
outside  our  lines: 


112  GENERAL   GRANT 

HEAD-QUAETEBS,  DISTRICT  OP  WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 
OFFICE  PROVOST-MARSHAL  GENERAL, 

MEMPHIS,  June  28,  1862.  ) 

[Special  Orders,  No.  4.] 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

Passes  issued  for  persons  to  pass  out  of  the  city  will  be  understood 
to  mean  the  person  alone,  and  will  not  include  goods,  letters,  or  pack 
ages. 

Where  letters  are  found  on  persons  passing  out,  without  being 
marked  PASSED  by  the  Provost-Marshal,  Post  Commander,  or  General, 
Commanding,  they  will  be  seized  and  delivered  to  the  Provost-Marshal 
and  the  offender  arrested. 

Powder,  lead,  percussion  caps,  and  fire-arms  of  all  descriptions,  are 
positively  prohibited  from  being  carried  out  of  the  city  by  citizens. 
Citizens  are  also  prohibited  from  carrying  them  within  the  city  limits  on 
pain  of  forfeiture  of  such  weapons,  and  ten  days'  confinement,  for  tLo 
first  offence,  and  expulsion  south  of  our  lines,  to  be  treated  as  spies,  if 
ever  caught  within  them  thereafter,  for  the  second. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

WM.  S.  HILLTER,  Provost-Marshal  General 

Finding  that  the  above  appeared  to  have  had  no  effect  in 
stopping  the  illicit  traffic,  General  Grant  caused  the  follow 
ing  positive  orders  to  be  issued,  which  determination 
greatly  aided  him  in  restoring  the  city  of  Memphis  to 
order  and  loyalty. 

DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 

OFFICE  OF  THE  PROVOST-MARSHAL  GENERAL,  [• 
MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  July  9,  1862.  ) 

[Special  Orders,  No.  13.] 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

All  passes  heretofore  issued  to  citizens,  either  by  the  Commanding 
General,  the  Provost-Marshal  General,  the  Provost-Marshal  of  Memphis, 
or  any  other  officer,  which  may  have  been  issued  without  the  party 
being  required  to  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  or  give  the  prescribed 
Parole  of  Honor,  are  hereby  revoked. 

No  pass  will  be  granted  in  any  case  hereafter,  except  upon  the  taking 
of  the  oath  or  parole. 

The  parole  will  be  substituted  for  the  oath  only  in  special  cases  (at 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  113 

the  discretion  of  the  officer  authorized  to  grant  passes),  where  the  party 
lives  beyond  the  protection  of  our  army. 

By  command  of  Major-General  GRANT, 

WM.  S.  HILLYEK,  Provost-Marshal  General. 


DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE,        ) 
OFFICE  PROVOST-MARSHAL  GENERAL,  [• 
MEMPHIS,  July  10,  1862.          ) 
[Special  Orders,  No.  14.] 

The  constant  communication  between  the  so-called  Confederate  army 
and  their  friends  and  sympathizers  in  the  city  of  Memphis,  despite  the 
orders  heretofore  issued,  and  the  efforts  to  enforce  them,  induced  the 
issuing  of  the  following  order : 

The  families  now  residing  in  the  city  of  Memphis  of  the  following 
persons,  are  required  to  move  south  beyond  the  lines  within  five  days 
from  the  date  hereof: 

First. — All  persons  holding  commissions  in  the  so-called  Confederate 
army,  or  who  have  voluntarily  enlisted  in  said  army,  or  who  accompany 
and  are  connected  with  the  same. 

Second. — All  persons  holding  office  under  or  in  the  employ  of  the  so- 
called  Confederate  Government. 

Third. — All  persons  holding  State,  county,  or  municipal  offices,  who 
claim  allegiance  to  said  so-called  Confederate  Government,  and  who 
have  abandoned  their  families  and  gone  South. 

Safe  conduct  will  be  given  to  the  parties  hereby  required  to  leave, 
upon  application  to  the  Provost-Marshal  of  Memphis. 

By  command  of  Major-General  GRANT. 


•\ 


DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE, 
OFFICE  OF  THE  PROVOST-MARSHAL  GENERAL 

MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  July  11,  1862. 
[Special  Orders,  No.  15.] 

#  *  #  *  *  * 

Tn  order  that  innocent,  peaceable,  and  well-disposed  persons  may 
not  suffer  for  the  bad  conduct  of  the  guilty  parties  coming  within 
the  purview  of  Special  Order  No.  14,  dated  July  10,  1862,  they  can  bo 
relieved  from  the  operation  of  said  order  No.  14,  by  signing  the  following 
parole,  and  producing  to  the  Provost-Marshal  General,  or  the  Provost- 
Marshal  of  Memphis,  satisfactory  guarantees  that  they  will  keep  tho 
pledge  therein  made : 


114  GENERAL   GRANT 

PAROLE. 

First.  I  have  not,  since  the  occupation  of  the  city  of  Memphis  by  the 
Federal  army,  given  any  aid  to  the  so-called  Confederate  army,  nor 
given  or  sent  any  information  of  the  movements,  strength,  or  position 
of  the  Federal  army  to  any  one  connected  with  said  Confederate  army. 

Second.  I  will  not,  during  the  occupancy  of  Memphis  by  the  Federal 
army  and  my  residing  therein,  oppose  or  conspire  against  the  civil  or 
military  authority  of  the  United  States,  and  that  I  will  not  give  aid, 
comfort,  information,  or  encouragement  to  the  so-caUed  Confederate 
army,  nor  to  any  person  co-operating  therewith. 

All  of  which  I  state  and  pledge  upon  my  sacred  honor. 

By  command  of  Major-General  GRANT. 

WM.  S.  HILLYER,  Provost- Marshal  General. 

And  as  a  warning  to  the  guerillas  who  were  operating 
about  Memphis,  destroying  cotton  and  plundering  from 
friend  and  foe,  the  following  order  was  also  issued : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DIST.  OP  WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 
MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  July  3,  1862.  ] 

[General  Order  No.  60.] 

The  system  of  guerilla  warfare  now  being  prosecuted  by  some  troops 
organized  under  authority  of  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy,  and 
others  without  such  authority,  being  so  pernicious  to  the  welfare  of  the 
community  where  it  is  carried  on,  and  it  being  within  the  power  of  the 
community  to  suppress  this  system,  it  is  ordered  that  wherever  loss  is 
sustained  by  the  Government,  collections  shall  be  made,  by  seizure  of  a 
sufficient  amount  of  personal  property,  from  persons  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  sympathizing  with  the  rebellion,  to  remunerate  the  Gov 
ernment  for  all  loss  and  expense  of  the  same. 

Persons  acting  as  guerillas  without  organization,  and  without  uniform 
to  distinguish  them  from  private  citizens,  are  not  entitled  to  the  treat 
ment  of  prisoners  of  war  when  caught,  and  will  not  receive  such  treat 
ment.  By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

The  newspapers  of  Memphis  had  also  continued  to  pub 
lish  articles  of  a  character  likely  to  inflame  the  people 
against  the  United  States  authorities  ;  and  while  such  license 
of  the  press  was  allowed  it  would  have  been  impossible  to 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  115 

have  restored  order  in  that  part  of  the  district.     The  fol 
lowing  documents  have  a  very  significant  tone  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  DISTRICT  OP  WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 
OFFICE  PROVOST-MARSHAL  GENERAL, 

MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  July  1,  1862.  ) 

Messrs.  WILLS,  BIXGHAM  &  Co.,  Proprietors  of  the  Memphis  Avalanche. 

You  will  suspend  the  further  publication  of  your  paper.  The  spirit 
with  which  it  is  conducted  is  regarded  as  both  incendiary  and  treason 
able,  and  its  issue  cannot  longer  be  tolerated. 

This  order  will  be  strictly  observed  from  the  time  of  its  reception. 

By  command  of  Maj.-G-en.  U.  S.  GRANT. 

WM.  S.  HILLYER,  Provost- Marshal  General. 

MEMPHIS,  July  1,  1862. 

The  Avalanche  can  continue  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  author  of  the 
obnoxious  article  under  the  caption  of  "  Mischief  Makers,"  and  the  edi 
torial  allusion  to  the  same. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 

To  OUR  PATRONS. — For  reasons  apparent  from  the  foregoing  order,  I 
withdraw  from  the  editorial  management  of  The  Avalanche.  Self-respect, 
and  the  spirit  of  true  journalism,  forbid  auy  longer  attempt  to  edit  a 
paper.  I  approved  and  indorsed  the  articles  in  question.  Prudence 
forbids  my  saying  more,  and  duty  less,  to  the  public. 

JEPTIIA  FOWLKES. 

The  ruinous  system  of  guerilla  warfare  continuing,  and 
it  being  found  almost  impossible  to  stop  the  contraband 
trade  which  was  being  carried  on  through  Memphis,  in  aid 
of  the  rebellion,  General  Grant  appointed  General  Sherman 
to  the  command  of  that  city,  with  the  full  knowledge  that 
his  determination  would  soon  check  both  operations.  On 
the  21st  of  July,  1862,  General  Sherman  assumed  the  com 
mand,  and  it  was  soon  detected  where  the  difficulty  lay,  as 
may  be  judged  from  the  following  order  : 

U.  S.  MILITARY  TELEGRAPH,  CORINTH,  July  26,  1862. 
To  Brigadier-General  J.  T.  QUIMBY,  Columbus,  Ky. 

GENERAL  : — Examine  the  baggage  of  all  speculators  coming  South, 
and  when  they  have  specie  turn  them  back.  If  medicine  and  other 


116  GENERAL   GRANT 

contraband  articles,  arrest  them  and  confiscate  the  contraband  articles. 
Jews  should  receive  special  attention. 

(Signed)  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 

He  also  ordered  the  most  stringent  measures  to  be 
adopted  against  all  guerillas  and  their  agents,  and  the  fol 
lowing  dispatch  is  an  evidence  of  the  manner  with  which 
his  orders  were  carried  out : 

TRENTON,  TENN.,  July  29,  1862. 

GENERAL  : — The  man  who  guided  the  rebels  to  the  bridge  that  was 
burned  was  hung  to-day.  He  had  taken  the  oath.  The  houses  of  four 
others  who  aided  have  been  burned  to  the  ground. 

(Signed)  G.  M.  DODGE,  Brigadier- General. 

On  July  28th,  General  Grant  ordered  General  Sherman  to 
take  possession  of  all  unoccupied  dwellings,  manufactories, 
and  stores,  within  the  city  of  Memphis,  to  hire  them  out, 
and  to  collect  the  rents  for  the  United  States  Government, 
in  all  cases  where  the  owners  were  absent,  engaged  in 
arms  against  the  United  States.  This  plan  was  adopted  to 
prevent  the  property  being  destroyed  or  abused,  as  well  as 
to  bring  in  a  revenue  from  rebel  sources  to  help  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  war. 

A  portion  of  the  rebel  forces  that  had  been  engaged  at 
Corinth  were  afterwards  concentrated  at  Jackson,  Miss., 
whence  they  were  sent  to  Yicksburg,  Baton  Rouge,  Port 
Hudson,  and  other  places  along  the  Mississippi  River,  for 
the  purpose  of  again  blockading  that  stream.  On  the  5th 
of  August  a  battle  was  fought  at  Baton  Rouge.* 

The  large  number  of  negroes  that  had  found  refuge 
within  the  union  lines,  were  about  this  time  becoming  a  seri 
ous  incubus  upon  the  commanders  of  the  army,  and  it  was 

*  Although  this  battle  occurred  outside  of  the  limits  of  General  Grant's 
department,  it  is  here  alluded  to — as  it  will  be  found  in  the  course  of 
the  narrative,  that  these  movements  were  more  or  less  connected  with 
his  grand  campaign  of  1863. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  117 

decided  that  these  men  should  be  put  at  some  useful  em 
ployment.  General  Grant,  therefore,  to  remedy  the  evil  in 
his  own  special  department,  issued  the  following  order, 
which  contains  certain  regulations  in  relation  to  both  the 
negro  refugees  and  the  carrying  out  of  the  Confiscation 
law,  as  passed  by  the  Houses  of  Congress,  and  signed  by 
the  President : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 
CORINTH,  Miss.,  August  llth,  1862.  [ 

[General  Orders,  No.  72.] 

The  recent  Act  of  Congress  prohibits  the  army  from  returning  fugi 
tives  from  labor  to  their  claimants,  and  authorizes  the  employment  of 
such  persons  in  the  service  of  the  government.  The  following  orders 
are  therefore  published  for  the  guidance  of  the  army  in  this  matter. 

1.  All  fugitives  thus  employed  must   be  registered;  the  names  of 
the  fugitives  and  claimant  given,  and  must  be  borne  upon  the  morning 
report  of  the  command  in  which  they  are  kept,  showing  low  they  are 
employed. 

2.  Fugitives  may  be  employed  as  laborers  in  the  quartermaster  s, 
subsistence,  and  engineer's  department ;  and  whenever  by  such  employ 
ment  a  soldier  may  be  saved  to  its  ranks,  they  may  be  employed  as 
teamsters  and  as  company  cooks,  not  exceeding  four  to  a  company,  or 
as  hospital  attendants  and  nurses.     Officers  may  employ  them  as  pri 
vate  servants,  in  which  latter  case  the  fugitives  will  not  be  paid  or  ra 
tioned  by  the  government.     Negroes  thus  employed  must  be  secured  as 
authorized  persons,  and  will  be  excluded  from  the  camps. 

3.  Officers   and    soldiers    are  positively    prohibited  from   enticing 
slaves  to  leave  their  masters.     "When  it  becomes  necessary  to  employ 
this  kind  of  labor,  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post  or  troops  must 
send  details,  all  under  the  charge  of  a  suitable  commissioned  officer,  to 
press  into  service  the  slaves  of  persons  to  the  number  required. 

4.  Citizens  within  reach  of  any  military  station,  known  to  be  dis 
loyal  and  dangerous,  may  be  ordered  away  or  arrested,  and  their  crops 
and  stock  taken  for  the  benefit  of  the  government  or  the  use  of  the 
army. 

5.  All  property  taken  from  rebel  owners   must  be  duly  reported 
and  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  government,  and  be  issued  to  the  troops 
through  the  proper  department,  and,  when  practicable,  ths  act  of  taking 


118  GENERAL   GRANT 

should  be  accompanied  by  the  written  certificate  of  the  officer  so  taking 
to  the  owner  or  agent  of  such  property. 

It  is  enjoined  on  all  commanders  to  see  that  this  order  is  executed 
strictly  under  their  own  direction.  The  demoralization  of  troops  subse 
quent  upon  being  left  to  execute  laws  in  their  own  way  without  a  proper 
head  must  be  avoided. 

By  command  of  Major-General  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  last  clause  of  the  above  order  that, 
although  General  Grant  was  perfectly  willing  to  carry  out 
the  laws  according  to  their  letter  and  spirit,  he  was  deter 
mined  that  wholesale  plunder  should  not  be  allowed  within 
the  limits  of  his  department. 

Several  had  taken  advantage  of  the  advance  of  the  armies 
to  visit  certain  places  in  the  Southern  States  within  the 
Union  lines.  Among  others  were  a  number  of  individu 
als  who  had  fled  from  their  own  States  to  avoid  the  en 
rolment  ordered  under  the  Conscription  act.  These  men 
were  generally  of  a  disreputable  character,  and  made  their 
living  by  following  the  army,  robbing  the  soldiers,  or  trad 
ing  with  the  rebels.  To  meet  the  particular  cases  of  these 
men,  the  following  order  was  issued  by  General  Grant 
from  his  departmental  head-quarters. 


HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  "WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 
CORINTH,  Miss.,  August  16,  1862.  ) 

[General  Orders,  No.  74.] 

1.  All  non-residents  of  this  department,  found  within  the  same,  who, 
if  at  home,  would  be  subject  to  draft,  will  at  once  be  enrolled  under  the 
supervision  of  the  local  commanders  where  they  may  be  found,  and,  in 
case  of  a  draft  being  made  by  their  respective  States,  an  equal  proportion 
will  be  drawn  from  persons  thus  enrolled.    Persons  so  drawn  will  at 
once  be  assigned  to  troops  from  the  States  to  which  they  owe  military 
service,  and  the  executive  thereof  notified  of  such  draft. 

2.  All  violation  of  trade  by  array  followers    may  be  punished  by 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  119 

confiscation  of  stock  in  trade,  and  the  assignment  of  offenders  to  do 
military  duty  as  private  soldiers. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  KAWLINS,  A.  A.-  G. 

As  far  as  actual  fighting  was  concerned,  it  may  be  safely 
stated  that  from  June  to  September,  1862,  General  Grant's 
Department  was  particularly  quiet.  Skirmishes  would 
occasionally  take  place  between  guerillas  and  the  troops 
occupying  small  districts,  as  at  Bolivar,  on  August  30th, 
and  at  Medon  Station  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad, 
on  August  31st.  On  all  these  occasions  the  rebel  troops 
were  generally  worsted,  so  well  had  General  Grant  looked 
after  the  defences  of  these  posts. 

During  the  early  part  of  September,  1862,  the  rebel 
forces  in  the  Southwest  began  to  make  a  general  advance 
upon  the  Union  positions.  General  Bragg  issued  an  order 
on  September  5,  1862,  which  he  dated  at  Sparta,  in  the 
most  southern  part  of  Alabama,  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving 
the  Union  troops  as  to  his  actual  whereabouts,  while,  at 
the  same  time,  he  was  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  preparing  to 
make  a  flank  movement  through  East  Tennessee  and  Ken 
tucky,  to  the  Ohio  River.  The  deceitful  order  certainly 
misled  the  commander  of  the  army  of  the  Ohio ;  but  did 
not  impose  upon  General  Grant,  nor  the  officers  under  his 
command,  as  cavalry  reconnoissances  were  continually 
being  sent  out  to  ascertain  the  whereabouts  of  the  enemy. 

The  rebels  soon  discovered  that  General  Grant  was 
sending  troops  to  re-enforce  the  army  in  Kentucky,  and  to 
prevent  him  from  so  doing,  a  portion  of  the  rebel  army  in 
the  State  of  Mississippi  was  detached,  to  operate  against 
his  lines.  General  Grant  had,  however,  taken  care  of  his 
own  position  while  helping  the  others,  and  the  results  wero 
the  glorious  victories  of  luka  and  Corinth. 


120  GENERAL   GEANT 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

ITTKA. CORINTH    AND   THE    HATCHIE. 

THE  careful  system  of  reconnoissance  adopted  in  General 
Grant's  army  made  the  commander  of  the  Department 
of  West  Tennessee  and  his  subordinate  general  officers 
fully  aware  of  the  approach  of  the  rebels  upon  their  lines 
long  before  the  actual  attack  took  place.  Even  as  early 
as  September  10th,  1862,  it  was  known  that  General  Sterling 
Price,  at  the  head  of  a  far  superior  force  of  rebel  troops, 
was  marching  upon  the  little  camp  at  Jacinto,  Tishamingo 
County,  Miss.  Orders  were,  of  course,  quickly  given  to 
break  up  this  camp,  and  take  the  wagon  trains  to  the  de 
fences  at  Corinth.  The  men  who  were  ordered  to  remain 
behind  were  thereby  compelled  to  sleep  on  their  arms  and 
in  the  open  air  for  several  nights. 

On  September  lYth,  a  general  advance  was  ordered  by 
General  Grant,  and  at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Sep 
tember  18th  the  regiments  from  Corinth  and  Jacinto  were 
pushing  towards  luka,  where  General  Price  had  con 
centrated  his  forces.  The  march  of  the  Union  troops  was 
made  amidst  a  drenching  rain,  and  along  muddy  roads, 
and  they  advanced  upon  the  place  by  different  routes,  the 
force  under  General  Rosecrans,  known  as  the  Army  of  the 
Mississippi,  making  the  advance  along  the  road  from 
the  south,  while  that  under  Generals  Grant  and  Orel  ap 
proached  the  town  from  the  north,  via  Burnsville. 

At  daybreak,  on  the  morning  of  September  19th,  the 
march  was  renewed,  and  the  advance  of  Genernl  Hamil- 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  121 

ton's  Division  encountered  the  rebel  pickets  at  Barnett's 
Corners,  on  the  road  to  luka.  -  After  a  sharp  skirmish, 
the  pickets  were  driven  six  mile3  towards  that  town, 
losing  slightly  in  killed  and  prisoners.  The  division  again 
pushed  forward  until  within  two  miles  of  luka,  where 
they  were  received  with  a  hot  fire  of  musketry  from  the 
rebels  who  were  posted  on  the  ridge  which  commanded 
the  country  for  several  miles  around.  The  engagement 
soon  became  general,  on  this  part  of  the  line,  and  lasted 
until  dark,  when  the  men  threw  themselves  down  on 
their  arms,  to  take  that  rest  so  needed  to  enable  them  to 
renew  the  straggle  on  the  morrow.  The  contest  had  been 
very  sanguinary  and  fierce  while  it  lasted,  nearly  one-third 
of  the  Union  forces  engaged  being  placed  hors  de  combat. 

Daring  the  night  the  rebel  forces  under  Price  evacuated 
the  town,  and  in  the  morning  General  Rosecrans's  troops 
entered  luka  from  the  south,  and  began  pushing  after  the 
flying  rebels.'  Shortly  after,  the  forces  under  Generals 
Grant  and  Ord  arrived  by  the  northern  route.  As  the  in 
tention  of  General  Grant  had  been  to  cut  off  Price's  retreat 
by  that  road,  and  as  Price  had  chosen  another  towards 
the  east,  this  part  of  the  army  was  not  engaged,  although 
its  position  contributed  towards  forcing  the  enemy  to 
evacuate  the  place. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  private  letter  of  a  rebel 
to  a  friend,  under  date  of  September  24th,  1862,  contain 
matters  of  interest : 

"We  held  peaceable  possession  of  luka  for  one  day,  and  on  the 
next  were  alawned  by  the  booming  of  cannon,  and  were  called  out  to 
spend  the  evening  in  battle  array  in  the  woods.  On  the  evening  of  the 
19th,  when  we  supposed  we  were  going  back  to  camp,  to  rest  awhile, 
the  sharp  crack  of  musketry  on  the  right  of  our  former  lines  told  us 
that  the  enemy  was  much  nearer  than  we  imagined.  In  fact,  they  had 
almost  penetrated  the  town  itself.  How  on  earth,  with  the  woods  full 
of  our  cavalry,  they  could  have  approached  GO  near  our  lines,  is  a  mys- 
6 


122  GENERAL   GRANT 

tery.  They  had  planted  a  battery  sufficiently  near  to  shell  General 
Price's  head-quarters,  and  were  cracking  away  at  the  Third  Brigade 
when  the  Fourth  came  up  at  double-quick,  and  then,  for  two  hours  and 
fifteen  minutes,  was  kept  up  the  most  terrific  fire  of  musketry  that  ever 
dinned  my  ears.  There  was  one  continuous  roar  of  small  arms,  while 
grape  and  canister  howled  in  fearful  concert  above  our  heads  and 
through  our  ranks.  General  Little  was  shot  dead  early  in  the  action. 
*  *  It  was  a  terrible  struggle,  and  we  lost  heavily.  All  night  could  bo 
heard  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  forming  a  sequel  of  horror 
and  agony  to  the  deadly  struggle,  over  which  night  had  kindly  thrown 
its  mantle.  Saddest  of  all,  our  dead  were  left  unburied,  and  many  of  the 
wounded  on  the  battle-field  to  be  taken  in  charge  by  the  enemy. 

"  Finding  that  the  enemy  were  being  re-enforced  from  the  north,  and  as 
our  strength  would  not  justify  us  in  trying  another  battle,  a  retreat  was 
ordered,  and  we  left  the  town  during  the  night.  The  enemy  pressed 
our  rear  the  next  day,  and  were  only  kept  off  by  grape  and  canister. 

"  It  grieves  me  to  state  that  acts  of  vandalism,  disgraceful  to  any  army, 
were,  however,  perpetrated  along  the  line  of  retreat,  and  makes  me 
blush  to  own  such  men  as  my  countrymen.  Corn-fields  were  laid  waste, 
potato  patches  robbed,  barn-yards  and  smoke-houses  despoiled,  hogs 
killed,  and  all  kinds  of  outrages  perpetrated  in  broad  daylight  and  in 
full  view  of  the  officers.  The  advance  and  retreat  were  alike  disgrace 
ful,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  women  and  children  along  the  route  will 
cry  for  the  bread  which  has  been  rudely  taken  from  them  by  those  who 
should  have  protected  and  defended  them."* 

The  Army  of  the  Mississippi  bore  the  brunt  of  the  fight, 
but  the  combinations  caused  the  evacuation  of  the  town. 
On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  September,  1862,  General 
Grant  sent  the  following  dispatch  to  the  general-in-chief 
at  Washington : 

IUKA,  Miss.,  September  20,  1862. 
To  Major-General  H.  W.  HALLECK,  General-in-Chief: 

General  Rosecrans,  with  Stanley's  and  Hamilton's  Divisions  and  Wise- 
ner's  Cavalry,  attacked  Price  south  of  this  village  about  two  hours  before 
dark  yesterday,  and  had  a  sharp  fight  until  night  closed  in.  General 

*  °rivate  letter  published  in  the  Montgomery  Advertiser,  September, 
1862. 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  123 

Ord  wr.s  to  the  north  with  an  armed  force  of  about  5,000  men,  and  had 
some  skirmishing  with  the  rebel  pickets.  This  morning  the  fight  was 
renewed  by  General  Rosecrans,  who  was  nearest  to  the  town;  but  it 
was  found  that  the  enemy  had  been  evacuating  during  the  night,  going 
sou tli.  Generals  Hamilton  and  Stanley,  with  cavalry,  are  in  full 
pursuit. 

This  will,  no  doubt,  break  up  the  enemy,  and  possibly  force  them  to 
abandon  much  of  their  artillery.  The  loss  on  either  side,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  is  from  400  to  500.  The  enemy's  loss  in  arms,  tents,  etc., 
vill  be  large.  We  have  about  250  prisoners. 

I  have  reliable  intelligence  that  it  was  Price's  intention  to  move  over 
east  of  the  Tennessee.  In  this  he  has  been  thwarted.  Among  the 
enemy's  loss  are  General  Little  killed,  and  General  Whitefield  wounded. 

I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  energy  and  skill  displayed  by  General 
Rosecrans  in  the  attack,  and  of  the  endurance  of  the  troops.  General 
Ord's  command  showed  untiring  zeal ;  but  the  direction  taken  by  the 
enemy  prevented  them  from  taking  the  active  part  they  desired, 
Price's  force  was  about  18,000. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 

The  examination  of  the  field,  after  the  first  excitement  of 
the  battle  was  over,  showed  a  still  more  favorable  result 
for  the  Union  forces,  as  may  be  judged  by  the  following 
dispatch  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  CORINTH,  September  22,  1862. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  General-in-Chief  : 

In  my  dispatch  of  the  20th  our  loss  was  over  estimated,  and  the 
rebel  loss  under  estimated.  We  found  two  hundred  and  sixty-one  of 
them  dead  upon  the  field,  while  our  loss  in  killed  will  be  less  than  one 
hundred. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 

General  Grant,  on  the  same  day  as  he  sent  the  above 
dispatch,  issued  the  following  order,  complimenting  his 
officers  and  men  upon  their  bravery,  not  forgetting  those 
who  fell  on  that  occasion  : — 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE,  ) 
CORINTH,  September  22,  1862.  J 

[General  Field  Orders,  No.  1.] 

The  General  Commanding  takes  great  pleasure  in  congratulating  the 


124  GEXEKAL    OH  A  XT 

two  wings  of  the  army,  commanded  respectively  by  Major-General  Ord 
and  Major-General  Rosecrans,  upon  the  energy,  alacrity,  and  bravery 
displayed  by  them  on  the  19th  and  20th  inst.,  in  their  movement 
against  the  enemy  at  luka.  Although  the  enemy  was  in  numbers  re 
puted  far  greater  than  their  own,  nothing  was  evinced  by  the  troops 
but  a  burning  desire  to  meet  him,  whatever  his  numbers,  and  however 
strong  his  position. 

With  such  a  disposition  as  was  manifested  by  the  troops  on  this 
occasion,  their  commanders  need  never  fear  defeat  against  any  thing  but 
overwhelming  numbers. 

While  it  was  the  fortune  of  the  command  of  General  Rosecrans,  on 
the  evening  of  the  19th  inst.,  to  engage  the  enemy  in  a  most  spirited 
fight  for  more  than  two  hours,  driving  him  with  great  loss  from  his 
position,  and  winning  for  themselves  fresh  laurels,  the  command  of 
General  Ord  is  entitled  to  equal  credit  for  their  efforts  in  trying  to  reach 
the  enemy,  and  in  diverting  his  attention. 

And  while  congratulating  the  noble  living,  it  is  meet  to  offer  our  condolence 
to  the  friends  of  the  heroic  dead,  who  offered  their  lives  a  sacrifice  in  defence 
of  constitutional  liberty,  and  in  their  fall  rendered  memorable  the  field  of 
luka. 

Ry  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

General  Bragg' s  forces  were  all  this  time  pushing  forward 
towards  the  Ohio  River,  and  it  became  necessary,  to  enable 
General  Grant  to  have  full  control  over  his  department, 
that  he  should  move  his  head-quarters  to  a  more  central 
position.  He  therefore  chose  Jackson,  Tennessee,  for  that 
purpose  ;  placing  the  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Mis 
sissippi  in  local  command  at  Corinth. 

The  rebel  forces  which  had  retreated  from  luka,  were 
next  concentrated  near  Ripley,  Tippah  County,  Missis 
sippi,  and  southwest  of  Corinth,  at  which  point  they  were 
joined  by  those  under  Generals  Yan  Dorn  and  Lovell.  It 
appears  that  Price's  forces,  in  retreating  from  luka,  coun 
termarched  at  a  point  several  miles  south  of  the  Union 
position,  crossed  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad  in  the 
vicinity  of  Baldwyn,  Tupello,  etc.,  and  were  thus  enabled  to 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  125 

form  a  junction  with  the  troops  under  the  before  mention 
ed  Generals,  and  comprising  all  the  available  rebel  forces 
in  North  Mississippi.  The  intention  of  the  enemy  was  to 
retake  Corinth  at  all  hazards,  or  at  least  to  break  the 
Union  line  of  communications,  and  force  a  retreat. 

General  Grant  being  duly  advised  of  these  facts,  so  ar 
ranged  his  forces  that  if  the  rebels  were  driven  from  Cor 
inth — and  he  had  not  a  doubt  but  that  they  would  be — 
they  should  not  be  able  to  escape  without  a  very  severe 
punishment. 

Cavalry  scouts  were  sent  out  in  all  directions  and  dem 
onstrated  the  fact  that  the  rebels  were  on  October  1st,  1862, 
moving  from  Ripley,  via  Buckersville,  upon  Corinth,  while 
the  main  army  was  at  Pocahontas.  The  question  then 
was,  where  did  they  intend  to  strike  the  principal  blow, 
as  they  were  situated  in  such  a  position  that  they  could  at 
tack  with  equal  ease  either  of  the  posts  at  Bethel,  Bolivar, 
Corinth,  or  Jackson.  In  fact,  they  held  the  centre  of  the 
base  of  the  irregular  triangle  which  had  Jackson  for  its 
apex  and  Corinth  for  its  right  hand  corner. 

General  Grant,  however,  was  master  of  the  situation, 
and  to  him  it  mattered  little  at  what  point  the  rebels 
struck,  as  he  could  move  his  forces  to  support  the  position 
attacked — so  well  had  he  arranged  them  within  reasona 
ble  reach  of  each  other.  General  Ord  held  the  position  at 
Bolivar,  General  Hurlbut  was  stationed  nearer  Pocahon 
tas,  General  Rosecrans  was  at  Corinth,  and  General  Grant 
at  Jackson.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  rebels  were  hemmed 
in  except  on  the  south. 

On  the  4th  of  October,  the  enemy  made  a  determined 
and  vigorous  attack  upon  the  works  at  Corinth,  and  the 
most  obstinate  fighting  ensued.  General  Grant  was  in  con- 
strint  telegraph  communication  with  General  Rosecrans, 
during  the  attack,  and  also  with  his  other  generals.  He 


128  GENERAL   GRANT 

was  enabled  to  move  his  forces  knowingly  so  as  to  meet 
the  movements  made  by  the  ?memy. 

The  struggle  at  Corinth,  was  a  fierce  and  sanguinary 
one,  and  bravely  did  the  garrison  defend  the  position  dur 
ing  the  morning  of  the  4th.  By  noon  the  battle  was  end 
ed,  and  the  enemy  were  in  full  retreat  from  the  place. 
The  rebels  had  even  forced  their  way  into  the  town,  and 
severe  fighting  took  place  in  the  streets,  but  in  the  end  they 
were  driven  oat  of  Corinth,  and  their  broken  fragments 
chased  into  the  woods. 

The  victory  had,  however,  cost  the  Union  army  dearly, 
as  may  be  judged  from  the  following  brief  dispatch  from 
General  Grant  to  the  general-in-chief : 

GRAXT'S  HEAD-QCTARTEUS,  ) 

JACKSON,  TENN.,  October  5, —  8  A.  M.  J 

To  Major-General  H.  "W.  HALECK,  Gtneral-in-  Chief  United  States  Army  : 

Yesterday  the  rebels  under  Price,  Van  Dorn,  and  Lovell  were  repulsed 
from  their  attack  on  Corinth  with  great  slaughter. 

The  enemy  are  in  full  retreat,  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the 
field. 

Rosecrans  telegraphs  that  the  loss  is  serious  on  our  side,  particularly 
in  officers,  but  bears  no  comparison  with  that  of  the  enemy. 

General  Hackleman  fell  while  gallantly  leading  his  brigade. 

General  Oglcsby  is  dangerously  wounded. 

Generpl  McPherson,  with  his  command,  reached  Corinth  yesterday. 

Generpl  Rosecrans  pursued  the  retreating  enemy  this  morning,  and, 
should  they  attempt  to  move  towards  Bolivar,  will  follow  to  that  place. 

General  Hurlbut  is  at  the  Hatchie  River  with  five  or  six  thousand 
men,  and  is  no  doubt  with  the  pursuing  columm. 

From  seven  hundred  to  a  thousand  prisoners,  besides  the  wounded, 
are  left  in  our  handu. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  Commanding. 

As  stated  n.  the  above  dispatch,  General  Rosecrans 
chased  the  ej  -my,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  October, 
and  pushed  *,*iem  towards  the  Hatchie  River.  General 
Hurlbut,  TV V/  had  moved  forward  to  that  position  along 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  127 

the  line  of  railroad  from  Grand  Junction,  had  already  on 
the  previous  day  driven  in  the  rebel  videttes,  but  his  ad 
vance  had  been  somewhat  disputed  during  the  night.  Gen 
eral  Hurlbut  was,  on  the  morning  of  October  5th,  joined  by 
General  Ord's  forces  from  Bolivar.  General  Ord  assumed 
command  ;  but  finding  General  Hurlbut  had  made  excel 
lent  arrangements  for  the  advance,  he  followed  out  the 
same  plan.  The  road,  narrow  and  winding,  through 
swamp  and  jungle,  and  over  precipitous  ridges,  across 
which  at  times  the  guns  were  with  great  labor  dragged  by 
hand,  made  the  advance  more  than  ordinarily  dangerous 
in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  especially  as  the  retreating  forces 
from  Corinth  were  likely  soon  to  be  joined  with  the  others 
in  the  front.  The  rebels  made  use  of  every  advantage  the 
country  gave  them,  using  the  swamps  and  jungles  for  their 
infantry,  and  the  ridges  for  their  artillery  ;  but  so  valor 
ous  was  the  attack  of  the  forces  under  Generals  Ord  and 
Hurlbut,  that  the  enemy  was  driven  for  five  miles  to,  and 
across  the  Hatchie,  and  up  the  heights  beyond. 

The  following  dispatch  from  General  Grant,  announces 
the  victory  on  the  Hatchie : 

0 

GRANT'S  HEAD-QUARTERS,       ) 

JACKSON,  TEXN.,  October  5,  18G2.  f 

To  Major-General  H.  W.  HALLECK,  General-in-Chief  United  States  Army  : 

General  Ord,  who  followed  General  Hurlbut,  met  the  enemy  to-day 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Hatchie,  as  I  understand  from  a  dispatch,  and 
drove  them  across  the  stream,  and  got  possession  of  the  heights  with 
our  troops. 

General  Ord  took  two  batteries  and  about  two  hundred  prisoners. 

A  large  portion  of  General  Rosecrans's  forces  were  at  Chevalla. 

At  this  distance  every  thing  looks  most  favorable,  and  I  cannot  see 
how  the  enemy  are  to  escape  without  losing  every  thing  but  their  small 
arms. 

/  have  strained  every  thing  to  take  into  the  fight  an  adequate  force,  and 
to  get  them  to  the  right  place. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  Commanding. 


128  GENERAL   GRANT 

The  union  of  General  McPherson's  forces  with  those  at 
Corinth,  enabled  General  Roseerans  to  continue  vigorously 
the  pursuit  of  that  part  of  the  enemy  who  had  attacked  his 
position  at  that  place,  and  at  about. noon  on  the  6th  of 
October  General  Grant  was  enabled  to  send  the  following 
dispatch,  which  sets  forth  the  entire  rout  of  the  rebel  forces 

on  every  side : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  OF  GENERAL  GRANT,        ) 
JACKSON,  TENN.,  12.20  p.  M.,  Octobers,  1862.  ) 
To  Major-General  HALLECK,   General-in-  Chief  : 

Generals  Ord  and  Hurlbut  came  upon  the  enemy  yesterday,  and 
General  Hurlbut  having  driven  in  small  bodies  of  the  rebels  the  day 
before,  after  seven  hours  hard  fighting,  drove  the  enemy  five  miles  back 
across  the  Hatchie  towards  Corinth,  capturing  two  batteries,  about  300 
prisoners,  and  many  small  arms. 

I  immediately  apprised  General  Roseerans  of  these  facts,  and  directed 
him  to  urge  on  the  good  work.  The  following  dispatch  has  just  been 
received  from  him : 

CHEVALLA,  October  6,  1862. 
To  Major-General  GRANT: 

The  enemy  is  totally  routed,  throwing  every  thing  away.  We  are 
following  sharply. 

"W.  S.  ROSECRANS,  Major- General 

Under  previous  instructions,  General  Hurlbut  is  also  following. 
General  McPherson  is  in  the  lead  of  General  Rosecrans's  column.  The 
rebel  General  Martin  is  said  to  be  killed. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General  Commanding. 

The  repulse  of  the  rebels  was  really  disastrous  to  them. 
The  accounts  published  in  the  southern  newspapers  plainly 
manifest  that  their  loss  had  been  heavy,  and  that  thev 
failed  in  accomplishing  the  object  of  their  movement — the 
capture  of  Corinth.  But  the  same  journals  endeavored  to 
console  themselves  and  the  people  with  the  idea  that 
General  Grant  had,  at  least,  been  prevented  from  sending 
re- enforcements  to  the  aid  of  General  Buell,  who  was  then 
about  to  engage  the  rebel  forces  under  General  Bragg. 

The  following  is  the  congratulatory  order  of  General 
Grant  to  his  troops  relative  to  this  campaign  : 


AND    HIS     CAMPAIGNS.  129 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  WEST  TENN.,  £ 
JACKSON,  TENN.,  October  7,  1862.  ) 

[General  Orders,  No,  88.] 

It  is  with  heartfelt  gratitude  the  General  Commanding  congratulates 
the  armies  of  the  West  for  another  great  victory  won  by  them  on  the 
3d,  4th,  and  5th  instants,  over  the  combined  armies  of  Van  Dorn,  Price, 
and  Lovell. 

The  enemy  chose  his  own  time  and  place  of  attack,  and  knowing  the 
troops  of  the  West  as  he  does,  and  with  great  facilities  for  knowing 
their  numbers,  never  would  have  made  the  attempt  except  with  a 
superior  force  numerically.  But  for  the  undaunted  bravery  of  officers  and 
soldiers,  wlio  have  yet  to  karn  defeat,  the  efforts  of  the  enemy  must  have 
proven  successful. 

Whilst  one  division  of  the  army,  under  Major-General  Rosecrans, 
was  resisting  and  repelling  the  onslaught  of  the  rebel  hosts  at  Corinth, 
another,  from  Boh' var,  under  Major-General  llurlbut,  was  marching  upon 
the  enemy's  rear,  driving  in  their  pickets  and  cavalry,  and  attracting 
the  attention  of  a  large  force  of  infantry  and  artillery.  On  the  following 
day,  under  Major-General  Ord,  these  forces  advanced  with  unsurpassed 
gallantry,  driving  the  enemy  back  across  the  Hatchie,  over  ground 
where  it  is  almost  incredible  that  a  superior  force  should  be  driven  by 
an  inferior,  capturing  two  of  the  batt  jries  (eight  guns),  many  hundred 
small  arms,  and  several  hundred  prisoners. 

To  those  two  divisions  of  the  army  all  praise  is  due,  and  will  be 
awarded  by  a  grateful  country. 

Between  them  there  should  be,  and  I  trust  are,  the  warmest  bonds  of 
brotherhood.  Each  was  risking  life  in  the  same  cause,  and,  on  this 
occasion,  risking  it  also  to  save  and  assist  the  other.  No  troops  could 
do  more  than  these  separate  armies.  Each  did  all  possible  for  it  to  do 
in  the  places  assigned  it. 

As  in  all  great  battles,  so  in  this,  it  becomes  our  fate  to  mourn  the 
loss  of  many  brave  and  faithful  officers  and  soldiers,  who  have  given 
up  their  lives  as  a  sacrifice  for  a  great  principle.  The  nation  mourns 
for  them. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

President  Lincoln,  when  he  had  received  the  intelligence 
from  General  Grant  announcing  the  victories  at  Corinth 
and  on  the  Hatchie,  dispatched  to  him  the  following  con 
gratulations  and  inquiries  : 
6* 


130  GENERAL    GRANT 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  October  8,  1862. 
Major-General  GRANT: 

I  congratulate  you  and  all  concerned  in  your  recent  battles  and  victo 
ries.  How  does  it  all  sum  up?  I  especially  regret  the  death  of  Gen 
eral  Hackleman,  and  am  very  anxious  to  know  the  condition  of  General 
Oglesby,  who  is  an  intimate  personal  friend. 

A.  LINCOLN. 

The  rebel  forces  of  General  Bragg  were  also  by  this  time 
in  full  retreat  from  the  Ohio  river,  and  were  being  pursued 
by  the  Army  of  the  Ohio. 

Skirmishes  with  guerillas  occurred  occasionally  within 
General  Grant's  lines ;  but  otherwise  this  department  was, 
by  this  time,  once  more  reduced  to  quietness. 

On  the  16th  of  October,  1862,  General  Grant's  Depart 
ment  was  designated  as  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee, 
and  was  further  extended  so  as  to  embrace- the  State  of 
Mississippi  as  far  as  Vicksburg.  General  Rosecr'ans  was 
shortly  after  relieved  of  his  command  under  General  Grant, 
and  made  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  in  the  place 
of  General  Buell.  The  combined  troops  under  General 
Grant  were  now  known  as  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps. 

The  victories  of  General  Grant's  forces  were  supposed 
in  Washington  to  have  had  a  beneficial  effect  upon  the 
people  of  Tennessee  ;  and  to  enable  them  to  resume  their 
own  government  under  the  auspices  of  the  United  States, 
the  following  document  was  sent  to  General  Grant  by  the 
hands  of  the  person  therein  named : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  October  21,  1862. 
Major-General  GRANT,    Governor    JOHNSON,    and  all  having  Military, 

Naval,  and  Givil  Autliority  under  the  United  States  within  the  State  of 

Tennessee : 

The  bearer  of  this,  Thomas  R.  Smith,  a  citizen  of  Tennessee,  goes  to 
that  State,  seeking  to  have  such  of  the  people  thereof  as  desire  to  avoid 
the  unsatisfactory  prospect  before  them,  and  to  have  peace  again  upon 
the  old  terms  undor  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  to  manifest 
such  d*esife  by  elections  of  members  to  the  Congress  of  the  Unitod 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  181 

States  particularly,  and  perhaps  a  Legislature,  State  Officers,  and  a 
United  States  Senator  friendly  to  their  object.  I  shall  be  glad  for  you 
and  each  of  you  to  aid  him,  and  all  others  acting  for  this  object,  as  much 
as  possible.  In  all  available  ways  give  the  people  a  chance  to  express 
their  wishes  at  these  elections.  Follow  law,  and  forms  of  law,  as  lar 
as  convenient ;  but,  at  all  events,  get  the  expression  of  the  largest 
number  of  the  people  possible.  All  see  how  much  such  action  will 
connect  with  and  affect  the  proclamation  of  September  22d.  Of  course, 
the  men  elected  should  be  gentlemen  of  character,  willing  to  swear 
support  to  the  Constitution  as  of  old,  and  known  to  be  above  reasonable 
suspicion  of  duplicity. 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

A.  LINCOLN. 

To  prevent  the  intention  of  the  foregoing  from  being 
carried  out,  General  Bragg  marched  his  forces  to  within 
striking  distance  of  the  State  Capital  at  Nashville. 


132  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


THE  DEPARTMENT   OF  THE  TENNESSEE. DISCIPLINE. 

^TKADE. 

GENERAL  GRANT  assumed  the  command  of  his  new 
department  on  the  25th  day  of  October,  1S62,  and  issued 
the  following  orders  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
JACKSON,  TENN.,  October  25,  1862.  f 

[General  Orders,  No.  1.] 

I.  In   compliance  with   General  Orders,    No.  159,    A..  (?.   0.,  War 
Department,    of  date  October  16th,  1862,  the  undersigned  hereby  as 
sumes  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  which  includes 
Cairo,  Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donelson,  Northern  Mississippi,  and  the 
portions  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  west  of  the  Tennessee  river. 

II.  Head-quarters  of  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee  will  remain, 
until  further  orders,  at  Jackson.  Tennessee. 

III.  All  orders  of  the  District  of  West  Tennessee  will  continue  in 
force  in  the  Department. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General  Commanding. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  \ 
JACKSON,  TENN.,  October  26,  1862.  \ 

[General  Orders,  No.  2.] 

I.  The  geographical  divisions  designated  in  General  Orders,  No.  83, 
from  Head-quarters  District  of  West  Tennessee,  dated  September  24th, 
1862,  will  hereafter  be  known  as  districts.  The  First  Division  will 
constitute  the  "District  of  Memphis,"  Major-General  W.  T.  Sherman 
commanding;  the  Second  Division,  the  "District  of  Jackson,"  com 
manded  by  Major-General  S.  A.  Hurlbut :  the  Third  Division,  tho 
"  District  of  Corinth,"  Brigadier-General  C.  S.  Hamilton  commanding ; 
the  Fourth  Division,  the  "  District  of  Columbus,"  commanded  by  Briga 
dier-General  T.  A.  Davies. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  133 

II.  The  army  heretofore  known  as  the  "Army  of tlie  Mississippi," 
being  now  divided  and  in  different  departments,  will  be  continued  as  a 
separate  army. 

III.  Until    army   corps  are    formed,  there  will  be   no   distinction, 
known,  except  those  of  departments,  districts,  divisions,  posts,  brigades, 
regiments  and  companies. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-  G. 

As  General  Grant  was  now  to  have  heavy  work 
before  him,  it  became  necessary  that  he  should  also  have 
liis  forces  thoroughly  well  organized,  and  in  this  matter  ho 
determined  to  exercise  his  personal  supervision.  He  be 
gan  by  rooting  out,  as  far  as  possible,  all  guerilla  bodies  in 
his  department,  and  in  the  affair  at  Ciarkson  his  forces  were 
very  successful. 

The  following  order   shows  that  it   was  the  intention 
during  the  approaching  campaign  to  move  light,  and  be 
spoke  great  activity  with  the  command  : 

* 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
JACKSON,  TENN.,  November  1,  1862.  ( 

[General  Orders,  No.  3.] 

I. — General  Orders,  No.  160,  from  the  Adjutant-General's  office,  having 
been  received  at  head-quarters,  is  published  for  the  information  of  all 
concerned : 
[General  Orders,  No.  160.] 

The  following  regulations  are  established  for  army  trains  and  baggage : 

1.  There  will  be  allowed — 

For  head-quarters  train  of  an  army  corps,  four  wagons ;  of  a  division 
or  brigade,  three ;  of  a  full  infantry  regiment,  six ;  and  of  a  light  artil 
lery  battery  or  squadron  of  cavalry,  three. 

In  no  case  will  this  allowance  be  exceeded,  but  always  proportionally 
reduced,  according  to  the  officers  and  men  actually  present.  All  surplus 
wagons  will  be  turned  over  to  the  Chief  Quartermaster,  to  be  organized 
under  direction  of  the  commanding  Generals,  into  supply  trains,  or  sent 
to  the  nearest  depot. 

The  requisite  supply  trains,  their  size  depending  upon  the  state  of^the 
roads  and  character  of  the  campaign,  will  be  organized  by  the  Chief1 


134  GENERAL    GRANT 

Quartermaster,  with  the  approval  of  the  commanding  generals,  subject 
to  the  control  of  the  War  Department. 

2.  The  wagons  allowed  to  a  regiment,  battery,  or  squadron,  must 
carry  nothing  but  forage  fjr  the  teams,  cooking  utensils,  and  rations  for 
the  troops,  hospital  stores,  and  officers'  baggage.     One  wagon  to  each 
regiment  will  transport  exclusively  hospital  supplies,  under  direction  of 
the    regimental  surgeon ;    the  one   for   regimental   head-quarters  will 
carry  the  grain  for  the  officers'  horses,  and  the  three  allowed  for  each 
battery  or  squadron  will  be  at  least  half  loaded  with  the  grain  for  their 
own  teams. 

Stores  in  bulk  and  ammunition  will  be  carried  in  the  regular  or 
special  supply  trains. 

3.  In  active  campaign,  troops  must  be  prepared  to  bivouac  on  the 
march,  the  allowance  of  tents  being  limited,  as  follows : 

For  the  head-quarters  of  an  army  corps,  division,  or  brigade,  one  wall 
tent  to  the  commanding  General,  and  one  to  every  two  officers  of 
his  staff. 

For  the  Colonel,  Field  and  Staff  of  a  full  regiment,  three  wall  tents; 
and  for  every  other  commissioned  officer,  one  shelter  tent  each. 

For  every  two  non-commissioned  officers,  soldiers,  officers'  servants, 
and  authorized  camp  followers,  one  shelter  tent. 

One  hospital  tent  will  be  allowed  for  office  purposes,  at  corps  head 
quarters,  and  one  wall  tent  at  those  of  a  division  or  brigade.  Ah1  tents 
beyond  this  allowance  will  be  left  in  depot. 

4.  Officers'  baggage  will  be  limited  to  blankets,  one  small  valise  or 
carpet  bag  and  a  moderate  mess-kit.     The  men  will  carry  their  own 
blankets  and  shelter  tents,  and  reduce  the  contents  of  their  knapsacks 
as  much  as  possible. 

The  Depot  Quartermaster  will  provide  storage  for  a  reasonable  amount 
of  officers'  surplus  baggage  and  the  extra  clothing  and  knapsacks  of 
the  men. 

5.  Hospital  tents  are  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  except  those 
allowed  for  army  corps  head-quarters,  must  not  be  diverted  from  their 
proper  use. 

G.  Commanding  officers  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  strict  enforce 
ment  of  these  regulations,  especially  the  reduction  of  officers'  baggage 
within  their  respective  commands. 

7.  On  all  marches,  Quartermasters,  under  the  orders  of  their  com 
manding  officers,  will  accompany  and  conduct  their  trains  in  a  way  not 
to-obstruct  the  movement  of  troops. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  135 

8.  All    Quartermasters    and   Commissaries  will   personally   attend 
to    the   reception    and    issue  of  supplies    for  their   commands,    and 
will  keep  themselves  informed  of  the  condition  of  the  depot,  roads,  and 
other  communications. 

9.  All  Quartermasters  and  Commissaries  will  report,  by  letter,  on  the 
first  of  every  month,  to  the  chiefs  of  their  respective  departments,  at 
Washington,  D.  C.,  their  station,  and  generally  the  duty  on  which  they 
have  been  engaged  during  the  preceding  month. 

By  command  of  Major-General  HALLECK. 

(Signed)  L.  THOMAS,  Adjutant  General. 

II.  District  Commanders  will  immediately  cause  an  inspection  of  their 
command,  with  the  view  to  a  strict  compliance  of  the  above  order,  and 
sec  that  all  tents  and  transportation  in  excess  of  allowance  are  turned 
over  to  the  Quartermaster;  that  all  extra  clothing  and  knapsacks  of  en 
listed  men  are  delivered  for  storage  as  provided  ;  that  the  baggage  of 
officers  does  not  exceed  the  limitation  prescribed  ;  and  that  all  hospital 
tents  not  in  use  for  the  sick  and  wounded  are  turned  over  to  the  Quarter 
master  at  once. 

III.  Where  there  is  a  deficiency  of  clothing  or  tents,  as  allowed  by 
regulations  and  said  order,  proper  requisitions  will  be   made  on  the 
Chief  Quartermaster  of  the  Department,  Captain  C.  A.  Reynolds,  for 
same. 

IV.  The  requirements  of  this  order  must  be  complied  with  without 
delay,  and  report  of  such  compliance  promptly  made  to  these  head-quar 
ters. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

About  the  latter  end  of  October,  1862,  a  body  of  cav 
alry  belonging  to  the  army  of  General  Grant,  and  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  [since  Brigadier  General]  A.  L. 
Lee,  started  on  a  reconnoissance  below  Ripley,  Missis 
sippi,  which  place  was  captured  and  held  for  twenty-four 
hours,  as  was  also  the  town  of  Orizaba.  Colonel  Lee  re 
turned  to  Grand  Junction  on  November  2d,  with  several 
prisoners. 

On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  November,  General  Grant 
removed  his  head-  .uartors  to  La  Grange,  west  of  Grand 


136  GENERAL    GKANT 

Junction,  occupying  that  place  with  a  heavy  body  of  troops, 
thereby  out-generalling  the  rebels,  who  were  concentrating 
their  forces  in  the  vicinity  of  Ripley,  a  long  distance  far 
ther  east. 

Colonel  Lee  again  made  a  successful  reconnoissance 
with  about  fifteen  hundred  cavalry  to  Hudsonville,  Missis 
sippi.  This  was  but  the  beginning  of  a  grand  reconnois 
sance,  as  follows : 

On  November  8th,  General  Grant  ordered  a  strong  force, 
consisting  of  two  divisions  of  Infantry  and  Artillery  and 
part  of  a  cavalry  division,  upon  a  special  reconnoissance. 
The  cavalry  was  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Lee,  and 
the  infantry  under  General  McPherson.  This  force  started 
from  La  Grange,  the  cavalry  taking  the  lead.  At  Lamar, 
the  infantry  halted,  while  the  cavalry  pushed  toward 
Hudsonville.  On  the  road  Colonel  Lee  encountered  a 
body  of  rebel  cavalry,  which  he  engaged  on  the  flank  with 
one  half  of  his  force,  while  the  other  half  proceeded  to 
Hudsonville.  After  routing  the  cavalry,  killing  sixteen 
and  capturing  one  hundred  and  thirty-four,  with  their  horses 
and  arms,  Colonel  Lee  joined  the  remainder  of  his  command 
at  Hudsonville,  and  then  returned  to  La  Grange. 

The  following  is  General  Grant's  brief  but  complimen 
tary  dispatch  to  the  General-in-Chief  in  relation  to  this 
movement : 

LA  GRANGE,  Nov.  11,  1862,  10:30  p.  M. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  Ge,ne>  al-in-  Chief: 

One  hundred  and  thirty-four  prisoners  were  taken  by  Colonel  Loe, 
of  the  Seventh  Kansas  Cavalry,  and  sixteen  rebels  killed.  Our  loss  is 
two  wounded.  Colonel  Lee  is  one  of  our  best  cavalry  officers.  I 
earnestly  recommend  him  for  promotion. 

(Signed)  U.  S.  GRANT. 

The  information  gained  by  this  reconnoissance  was  as 
follows : 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  137 

General  Lovell,  who  had  been  in  command  of  the  rejbel 
forces  north  of  Holly  Springs,  Mississippi,  had  fallen  back 
through  that  place  on  November  2d ;  but  while  retreating, 
was  met  on  November  5th  by  General  Pemberton,  who 
had  come  up  from  the  State  Capital — Jackson.  General 
Lovell  was  ordered  back  to  his  old  post,  which  .he  held, 
with  two  divisions,  on  the  8th  of  November.  Price,  with 
twelve  thousand  men,  was  seven  miles  below  Holly  Springs, 
on  the  Salem  road  ;  and  twenty-two  miles  further  south,  at 
Abbeville,  was  a  rebel  conscript  camp  of  about  thirteen 
thousand  men. 

Some  complaints  having  been  made  by  the  farmers  in 
the  vicinity,  of  the  conduct  of  the  rebel  forces,  while  pass 
ing  through  their  country,  General  Grant  issued  the  fol 
lowing  order,  to  prevent  his  troops  from  falling  into  the 
like  disgraceful  system  of  plunder  : 


HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
LA.GRANGE,  TENN.,  November  9,  1862.  \ 

[Special  Field  Orders,  No.  2.] 

Hereinafter  stoppage  will  be  made  on  muster  and  pay  rolls  against  di 
visions  for  the  full  amount  of  depredations  committed  by  any  member  or 
members  of  the  division,  unless  the  act  can  be  traced  either  to  -the  individ 
uals  committing  them,  or  to  the  company,  regiment,  or  brigade  to  which 
the  offenders  belong. 

In  all  cases  the  punishment  will  be  assessed  to  the  smallest  organiza 
tion  containing  the  guilty  parties. 

Confiscation  acts  were  never  intended  to  be  executed  by  soldiers;  and  if  they 
were,  the  general  government  should  have  full  benefit  of  all  property  of 
winch  individuals  are  deprived.  A  stoppage  of  pay  against  offenders 
will  effect  this  end,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  correct  this  growing  evil. 

It  is  not  only  the  duty  of  commissioned  officers  to  correct  thi<;  evil,  but  of 
all  nood  mtn  in  the  ranJcs  to  report  every  violation ;  and  it  is  determined 
now  that  they  shall  have  a  pecuniary  interest  in  doing  so. 

Assessments  will  also  be  made  against  commissioned  officers,  in  the 
proportion  of  their  pay  proper. 

Where  offences  of  the  nature  contemplated  in  this  order  are  traced  to 


138  GENERAL     GRANT 

individuals,  they  will  be  summarily  punished  to  the  full  extent  formerly 
given  to  garrison,  court-martials,  or  ba  arrested  and  tried  by  a  general 
court-martial,  according  to  the  enormity  of  the  offence,  and  the  severest 
penalties  provided  imposed  and  executed. 

This  order  will  be  read  on  parade,  before  each  regiment  and  detach 
ment,  for  three  successive  evenings. 

By  order  of  Major-G-eneral  U.  S.  GRANT. 

By  this  means  it  was  hoped  that  the  evil  would  be  rem 
edied,  or  at  least  greatly  ameliorated,  and  it  was  also  by 
this  strict  discipline  that  General  Grant  was  enabled  to 
gather  around  him  one  of  the  finest  working  armies  in  the 
United  States. 

The  change  in  the  Department  naturally  led  to  a  remod 
elling  of  the  commander's  staff,  the  officers  of  which  were 
announced  as  follows  : 


HEAD-QUARTERS,  THIRTEENTH  A.RMT  CORPS, 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 
LAGRANGE,  TENN.,  November  11,  1862. 


[General  Orders,  No.  G.] 

I.  The  following  officers  are  announced  as  the  staff  and  staff  corps  of 
this  department,  and  will  be  recognized  and  obeyed  accordingly; — 

Brigadier-General  J.  D.  "Webster,  Superintendent  Military  Railroads. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  John  A.  Rawlins,  Assistant  Adjutant-General  and 
Chief  of  Staff. 

Colonel  T.  Lyle  Dickey,  Chief  of  Cavalry. 

Colonel  William  S.  llillyer,  Aide-de-Camp  and  Provost-Marshal  General 

Colonel  Clfrk  B.  Lagow,  Aide-de-Camp  and  Acting  Inspector-General. 

Colonel  George  P.  Ihrie,  Aide-de-Camp  and  Acting  Inspector-General. 

Colonel  John  Riggin,  Jr.,  Aide-de-Camp  and  Superintendent  of  Mili 
tary  Telegraphs. 

Colonel  George  G.  Pride,  Chief  Engineer  of  Military  Railroads. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  "W.  L.  Duff.  Chief  of  Artillery. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  P.  Hawkins,  Chief  of  Subsistence  Department 

Lieutenant-Colonel  C.  A.  Reynolds,  Chief  of  Quartermaster's  Depart 
ment. 

Surgeon  Horace  R.  Wirtz,  Chief  of  Medical  Department. 

Major  William  R.  Ro\vley,  Aide-de-Camp  and  Mustering  Officer. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  139 

Captain  T.  S.  Bowers,  Aide-de-Camp. 

Captain  F.  E.  Prime,  Chief  of  Engineers. 

Lieutenant  James  H.  Wilson,  Chief  of  Topographical  Engineers. 

Lieutenant  S.  C.  Lyford,  Chief  of  Ordnance  Department. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLIXS,  A.  A.-G. 

As  it  was  found  difficult  to  reduce  the  baggage  and 
wagon  trains  of  the  army  at  a  moment's  notice,  especially 
as  the  lighter  material  to  be  used  in  the  place  of  the  old 
fashioned  tents  had  not  been  supplied  to  the  troops,  and  as 
it  was  also  necessary  to  make  some  provision  for  the  cotton 
seized  from  the  rebels,  the  following  order  was  issued  to 
remedy  the  evil  as  much  as  possible  : 

CHIEF  QUARTERMASTER'S  OFFICE.      ) 
LAGRANGE,  TENN.,  November  13,  18G2.  j" 

1.  In  compliance   with  General  Orders,   No.    1GO,    from   the   War 
Department,    and    of    General    Orders,    No.    3,    from    Head-Quarters, 
Department  of  the  Tennessee,  all  officers  of  the  Quartermaster's  Depart 
ment  are  required  to  reduce  their  means  of  transportation  as  much  as 
possible  until  shelter  tents  are  provided,  when  the  transportation  will 
be  reduced  in  compliance  with  the  above  orders. 

2.  All  surplus  teams  and  wagons  in  charge  of  regimental  quarter 
masters  will  be  transferred  to  division  quartermasters,  who  are  hereby 
required  to  organize  a  supply  train  of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  teams 
as  the  service  of  their  division  may  require,  and  any  teams  in  excess  of 
the  demands  for  division  supply  trains  will  be  turned  over  to  such 
officer  as  may  be  designated  to  take  charge  of  the  general  supply  train. 

3.  All  division  and  brigade  quartermasters  are  required  to  report 
immediately  by  letter  their  address  and  the  division  or  brigade  to  which 
they  belong,  and  the  name  of  its  commander  to  the  Chief  Quartermaster 
of  the  department;  if  an  acting  assistant  quartermaster,  they  will  report 
in  addition  the  regiment  to  which  they  are  attached. 

4.  Brigade  quartermasters  will  not  be  required  to  have  supply  trains, 
as  the  division  quartermaster  will  issue  direct  to  regiments.     Division, 
brigade,  and  regimental  quartermasters  are  required  to  remain  in  camp 
with  their  respective  commands.     The  only  quartermasters  allowed  to 
take  quarters  or  offices  in  towns  which  the  army  may  occupy  are  the 
depot  and  post  quartermasters;  and  no  quarters  will  be  occupied  by  any 


140  GENERAL    GRANT 

officer  whatsoever,  unless  duly  assigned  thereto  by  the  post  quarter 
master,  under  the  direction  of  the  Chief  Quartermaster. 

5.  All  cotton  coming  into  the  hands  of  quartermasters,  3eized  south 
of  Jackson,  Tenn.,  will  be  sent  to  that  point,  and  invoiced  to  Captain  G-. 
L.  Fort,  A.  Q.  M.,  or  the  post  quartermaster,  giving  the  name  and  resi 
dence  of  the  parties  from  whom  it  was  taken.     And  all  cotton  seized 
north  of  that  place  will  be  shipped  to  Captain  Thomas  O'Brien,  A.  Q.  M., 
or  the  post  quartermaster,  at  Columbus,  Ky.     The  quartermasters  above 
mentioned  will  hold  such  cotton  until  ordered  to  sell  the  same  at  public 
auction  by  the  General  Commanding  or  the  Chief  Quartermaster  of  the 
department. 

6.  All  regimental  and  other  quartermasters  are  required  to  show  that 
they  have  sent  the  monthly  papers  and  returns  prescribed  by  regula 
tions  and  existing  orders  to  the  Quartermaster-G-eneral  and  the  proper 
Auditor  of  the  Treasury  at  "Washington,  before  they  can  receive  funds 
for  the  payment  of  extra  duty  men.    Extra  duty  rolls  should  havo 
attached  to  the  certificate,  "and  that  I  have  forwarded  a  copy  of  the 
above  roll  to  the  Quartermaster-General  at  "Washington."     Estimates 
for  funds  should  be  approved  by  the  Division  General. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT 

CHARLES  A.  REYNOLDS,  Chief  Quartermaster. 

The  negro  refugees  at  this  time  became  a  source  of 
much  anxiety,  as  well  as  an  incubus  on  the  army.  Several 
of  these  men  had  played  the  parts  of  spies  at  the  instiga 
tion  of  their  rebel  masters,  by  entering  the  Union  lines 
under  the  pretence  of  being  escaped  slaves,  and,  after  gain 
ing  what  information  they  could,  had  made  their  way 
back  to  the  rebel  lines  with  the  intelligence.  To  remedy 
this  evil  a  special  camp  was  organized  for  their  accommo 
dation  and  protection,  and  was  placed  under  the  .charge 
of  a  responsible  person.  The  following  order  located  the 
camp  and  appointed  the  commander  thereof: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  13TH  ARMY  CORPS,  } 
DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,      V 
LAGRANGE,  TENN.,  Nov.  14.         ) 
[Special  Field  Orders,  No.  4.] 

1.  Chaplain  J.  Saton,  Jr.,  of  the  27th  Regiment  Ohio  Infantry  Vol- 


HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  141 

unteers,  is  hereby  appointed  to  take  charge  of  all  fugitive  slaves  that 
are  now.  or  may  from  time  to  time  come  within  the  military  lines  of  the 
advancing  army  in  this  vicinity,  not  employed  and  registered  in  accor 
dance  with  General  Orders,  No.  72,  from  Head-quarters  District  of  West 
Tennessee,  and  will  open  a  camp  for  them  at  Grand  Junction,  where 
they  will  be  suitably  cared  for  and  organized  into  companies  and  set  to 
work,  picking,  ginning,  and  baling  all  cotton  now  outstanding  in  fields. 

2.  Commanding  officers  of  troops  will  send  all  fugitives  that  come 
within  the  lines,  together  with  such  teams,  cooking  utensils  and  other 
baggage  as  they  may  bring  with  them,  to  Chaplain  J.  Eaton,  Jr.,  at  Grand 
Junction. 

3.  One   regiment   of  infantry  from   Brigadier-General   McArthur's 
division  will  be  temporarily  detailed  as  guard  in  charge  of  such  contra 
bands,  and  the  Surgeons  of  said  regiment  will  be  charged  with  the  caro 
of  the  sick. 

4.  Commissaries  of  subsistence  will  issue  on  the  requisitions  of  Chap 
lain  J.  Eaton,  Jr.,  omitting  the  coffee  rations,  and  substituting  rye. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-  G. 

The  Special  Order  No.  2,  relative  to  plundering,  began 
to  have  some  effect  in  finding  out  who  were  the  guilty 
parties  engaged  in  such  nefarious  practices  ;  and  General 
Grant  being  fully  determined  to  have  his  orders  obeyed, 
not  only  in  the  spirit,  but  to  the  letter,  assessed  the  guilty 
regiment  for  the  whole  amount  of  the  injury  inflicted,  and 
punished  the  officers  for  neglect  of  duty. 

The  following  order  will  explain  his  method  of  cor 
recting  the  evil : — 

HEAD-QUARTERS  ISTH  ARMY  CORPS,  } 
DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE,      v 
LA  GRANGE,  TENN.,  Nov.  16,  1862.    ) 
[Special  Field  Orders,  No.  6.] 

The  facts  having  been  officially  reported  to  the  Major-General  Com 
manding,  that  a  portion  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry 
Volunteers  did,  on  the  night  of  the  7th  of  November  inst,  at  Jackson, 
Tennessee,  break  into  the  store  of  G.  "W.  Graham  &  Co.,  and  take, there 
from  goods  to  the  value  of  $841.40,  the  property  of  said  Graham  &  Co., 


142  GENERAL   GRANT 

and  did  cut  the  tent  of  R.  B.  Kent  and  N.  A.  Bass,  and  take  therefrom 
goods  to  the  value  of  $345.  the  property  of  said  Kent  and  Bass,  nnd 
burn  and  destroy  the  tent  and  poles,  also  the  property  of  said  Kent  and 
Bass,  of  the  value  of  $56.26, — all  of  which  damages  amount  to  the  sum 
of  $1,242.66  ;  and  it  further  appearing  from  said  report  that  Capt.  C.  L. 
Page,  Co.  D ;  Capt.  J.  M.  North,  Co.  E  ;  Capt.  G-.  W.  Kennard,  Co.  I ; 
Lieutenants  Harry  King,  Co.  B;  William  Seas,  Co.  C;  John  Edmonston, 
Co.  E ;  David  Wadsworth,  Co.  F ;  J.  Bailey,  Co.  F ;  Victor  H.  Stevens, 
Co.  H ;  R.  M.  Evans,  Co.  I ;  Charles  Taylor,  Co.  I,  of  said  regiment, 
were  absent  from  their  commands  at  tho  time  of  the  peipetration  of 
these  outrages,  in  violation  of  orders,  and  without  proper  cause,  when 
they  should  have  been  present ;  and  also  that  Captain  Orton  Frisbee,  of 
Co.  H,  acting,  in  the  capacity  of  Major,  and  Captain  John  Tunison,  of  Co. 
G,  the  senior  Captain,  immediately  after  the  commission  of  these  depre 
dations,  did  not  exercise  their  authority  to  ferret  out  the  men  guilty  of 
the  offences,  but  that,  on  the  contrary,  Captain  Tunison  interposed  to 
prevent  search  and  discovery  of  the  parties  really  guilty,  and  that  Cap 
tain  Frisbee,  after  the  commission  of  the  said  depredations,  being  in  com 
mand  of  the  regiment,  remained  behind  twenty-four  hours  after  the 
regiment  marched,  and  the  names  of  the  individual  parties  guilty  not 
having  been  disclosed,  it  is  therefore  ordered — 

1.  That  the  said  sum  of  $1,242.66  be  assessed  against  said  regiment 
and  the  officers  hereinbefore  named,  excepting  such  enlisted  men  as 
were  at  the  time  sick  in  the  hospital  or  absent  with  proper  authority; 
that  the  same- be  charged  against  them  on  the  proper  muster  and  pay 
rolls,  and  the  amount  each  is  to  pay  noted  opposite  his  name  thereon, — 
the  officers  to  be  assessed  pro  rata  with  the  men  on  the  amount  of  their 
pay  proper ;  and  that  the  sum  so  collected  be  paid  by  the  command 
ing  o;B  ;3r  of  tli9  r3gi:n3nt  to  the  parties  entitled  to  the  same. 

2.  That  Captain   Orton  Frisbee  and  Captain  John  Tunison  of  tho 
Twentieth  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  for  wilful  neglect  of 
duty  and  violation  of  orders,  are  hereby  mustered  out  of  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  to  take  effect  this  day. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

The  subject  of  trade  in  the  insurrectionary  States  after 
they  had  again  come  within  the  Union  lines,  became  a  mat 
ter  of  much  importance,  and  the  Treasury  Department  had 
laid  down  certain  rules  for  the  guidance  of  thos'j  engaged 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  143 

in  such  traffic.  These  rules  were,  however,  very  deficient 
in  many  cases ;  and  it  also  required  certain  stringent  mili 
tary  regulations  to  be  enforced  to  prevent  the  trade  be 
coming  a  source  of  aid  and  comfort  to  the  enemy.  The 
following  order  was  therefore  issued,  defining  such  trade 
within  the  lines  of  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee  : 

HEADQUARTERS  13ra  ARMY  CORPS, 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 
LAGRANGE,  TENN.,  November  19,  1862. 
[General  Orders,  No.  8.] 

I.  In  addition  to  permits  from  the  Treasury  Department,  all  persons 
are  required  to  have  a  permit  from  the  local  Provost- Marshal  at  the  post 
before  purchasing  cotton  or  other  Southern  products  in  this  Department, 
and  shipping  the  same  North. 

II.  It  will  be  regarded  as  evidence  of  disloyalty  for  persons  to  go  beyond 
the  lilies  of  the  army  to  purchase  cotton  or  other  products ;  and  all  contracts 
made  for  such  articles  in  advance  of  the  army,  or  for  cotton  in  thefitld,  are 
null  and  void,  and  all  persons  so  offending  will  be  expelled  from  the  department. 

III.  Freight  agents  on  military  railroads  will  report  daily  to  the  Post 
Provost- Marshal  all  cotton  or  other  private  property  shipped  by  them ; 
and  when  shipments  are  made  by  persons  who  have  not  the  proper  per 
mits,  notice  will  be  given  by  telegraph,  to  the  Provost-Marshal  at  Co 
lumbus.  Ky.,  who  will  seize  the  goods  for  the  benefit  of  the  Government. 

IV.  The  Federal  army  being  now  in  the  occupancy  of  West  Tennes 
see  to  the  Mississippi  line,  and    it  being  no  part  of  the  policy  of  the 
Government  to  oppress,  or  cause  unnecessary  suffering  to  those  who  are  not 
in  active  rebellion,  hereafter,  until   otherwise  directed,  licenses  will  be 
granted  by  District  Commanders  to  loyal  persons,  at  all  military  stations 
within  the  department,  to  keep  for  sale,  subject  to  the  Treasury  regula 
tions,  such  articles  as  are  of  prime  necessity  for  families,  and  sell  the 
same  to  all  citizens  who  have  taken,  or  may  voluntarily  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  and  who  have  permits  from  the  Provost-Marshal,  obtained  under 
oath,  that  ah1  goods  to  be  purchased  are  for  their  own  and  for  their  fami 
ly's  use,  and  that  no  part  thereof  is  for  sale  or  for  the  use  of  any  person 
other  than  those  named  in  the  permit.     Permits  so  given  will  be  good 
until  countermanded ;  and  all  violations  of  trading  permits  will  be  pun 
ished  by  the  forfeiture  of  the  permit,  fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  dis 
cretion  of  a  military  commission. 

V.  Particular  attention  is  called  to  existing  orders  prohibiting  the  ein- 


144  GENERAL   GRANT 

ployment  or  use  of  Government  teams  for  hauling  private  property.  All 
cotton  brought  to  stations  or  places  for  shipment  in  this  department  by 
Government  teams  will  be  seized  by  the  Quartermaster's  Department  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Government,  and  persons  claiming  such  property  ex 
pelled  from  the  Department.  It  is  made  the  duty  of  all  officers,  and 
especially  of  local  Provost-Marshals,  to  see  that  this  order  is  rigidly  en 
forced. 

By  command  of  Major- General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINGS,  A.  A.-G. 

But,  despite  the  above  orders,  the  Jewish  camp  followers 
were  found  to  be  continually  engaged  in  an  illegal  traffic  ; 
whereupon  General  Grant  expelled  them  all  from  his  de 
partment.  The  following  is  his  order  of  expulsion  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  or  THE  TENNESSEE, 

OXFORD,  Miss.,  Dec.  17,  1862. 
[General  Orders,  No.  11.] 

The  Jews,  as  a  class,  violating  every  regulation  of  trade  established 
by  the  Treasury  Department,  also  department  orders,  are  hereby  ex 
pelled  from  the  department  within  twenty-four  hours  from  the  receipt  of 
this  order  by  post  commanders.  They  will  see  that  all  this  class  of 
people  are  furnished  with  passes  and  required  to  leave ;  and  any  one  re 
turning  after  such  notification  will  be  arrested  and  held  in  confinement 
until  an  opportunity  occurs  of  sending  them  out  as  prisoners,  unless 
furnished  with  permits  from  these  head-quarters.  No  passes  will  be 
given  these  people  to  visit  head-quarters  for  the  purpose  of  making  per 
sonal  application  for  trade  permits.* 

By  order  of  Major-General  GRANT. 

An  anecdote  is  told  of  General  Grant,  relative  to  his  re 
fusal  to  engage  in  or  authorize  any  movements  for  the 
reopening  of  trade  with  the  rebellious  States.  On  one  oc 
casion,  especially,  after  his  protests  and  orders  suppressing 
such  traffic,  he  was  eagerly  entreated  by  the  agents  of  the 
Treasury  Department  to  authorize  some  system  of  trade. 

*  This  order  was  afterwards  moderated  and  the  Jews  allowed  to 
trade  under  certain  regulations. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  145 

For  a  long  time  he  refused,  for  the  reason  that  he  could  not 
successfully  conduct  his  military  operations  while  such  per 
sons  were  moving  around  him ;  but  at  last  he  conceded, 
that  a  certain  amount  of  trade  in  the  recaptured  districts  of 
the  South  would  be  safe,  proper,  and  even  highly  useful  to 
the  Union — provided  it  could  be  conducted  through  honest, 
unimpeachable  Union  hands.  He  was  asked  to  name  the 
persons  to  whom  he  would  be  willing  to  trust. 

"I  will  do  no  such  thing,"  was  Grant's  reply;  "for  if  I 
did,  it  would  appear  in  less  than  a  week  that  I  was  a  part 
ner  of  every  one  of  the  persons  trading  .under  my  au 
thority." 


146  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XV. 

ADVANCE  INTO  MISSISSIPPI. A  RETROSPECT. 

THE  object  of  the  advance  of  General  Grant's  army  into 
the  State  of  Mississippi  was  to  reduce  Vicksburg,  and  open 
the  Mississippi  River  from  its  source  to  the  Gulf.  The  river 
had  been  blockaded  at  different  times,  by  the  fortification 
of  certain  points,  which  had  all  been  subdued  by  the  gun 
boats,  with  the  exception  of  Vicksburg ;  but  in  consequence 
of  the  natural,  as  well  as  artificial  strength  of  that  position, 
it  could  not  be  taken  from  the  water-front.  It  became, 
therefore,  necessary  that  the  land  forces  should  co-operate 
in  the  movement  for  the  conquest  of  the  rebels  at  this 
point. 

Tt  will  be  needful,  for  a  clear  understanding  of  the  posi 
tion  of  affairs  when  General  Grant  first  undertook  this  re 
sponsible  duty,  to  go  back  to  the  time  when  the  great  river 
of  the  West  was  first  blockaded  at  Vicksburg  by  the  rebels, 
and  show  how  every  previous  effort  had  failed  to  reduce 
the  stronghold  which  had  been  styled  by  the  enemy,  the 
"Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi." 

On  the  12th  day  of  January,  1861,  the  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Mississippi  first  sent  artillery  to  fortify  Vicksburg, 
then  supposed  to  be  the  strongest  defensive  position  on  the 
river,  commanding  as  it  did,  from  an  important  elevation, 
the  channel  for  some  miles,  both  above  and  below  the 
city. 

When  it  was  found  that  the  gunboat  fleet  had,  with  the 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  147 

assistance  of  the  army,  reduced  the  strong  position  at  Island 
No.  10,  and  had  pushed  down  past  the  works  constructed 
to  blockade  the  river  above  Memphis,  the  rebels  at  once, 
under  skilful  engineers,  began  strengthening  the  fortifica 
tions  at  Yicksburg,  until  they  were  considered  incapable 
of  being  stronger,  and  sufficient  to  resist  the  advance  of 
any  enemy  either  by  land  or  from  the  water.  Vicksburg,  in 
fact,  became  a  series  of  forts,  inclosed  and  connected,  as  it 
were,  within  a  larger  fortress. 

The  operations  of  the  army  and  the  naval  forces  in  the 
West  up  to  May,  18G2,  had  principally  been  for  two  grand 
objects — the  reopening  of  the  Mississippi  River  to  the 
Gulf,  and  the  suppression  of  the  rebels  in  arms.  The 
movements  were  therefore  general  in  their  character  up  to 
this  date,  and  had  not  been  directed  to  any  one  particu 
lar  point,  until  the  advance  upon  Corinth,  under  General 
Halleck. 

About  June,  1862,  the  reduction  of  Vicksburg  and  its 
neighboring  batteries  became  a  subject  of  more  direct  im 
portance,  and  a  special  object  to  be  accomplished  ;  and  on 
the  1st  of  that  month,  Commodore  Farragut's  fleet,  which 
had  taken  New  Orleans,  and  the  other  points  of  the  Lower 
Mississippi,  arrived  off  Grand  Gulf,  where  it  attacked  a 
rebel  battery  of  rifled  guns.  After  a  brief  engagement  the 
fleet  passed  up  the  river,  without  reducing  the  battery.  It 
was  the  approach  of  this  fleet  from  below  and  of  the  gun 
boat  fleet  from  above,  that  warned  General  Beauregard 
that  his  army  was  in  great  danger,  if  he  should  remain  too 
long  at  Corinth.  fc 

As  before  stated,  Memphis  was  reduced  on  June  6th, 
and  the  next  day,  Farragut's  fleet  arrived  off  Vicksburg. 
On  June  8th,  a  portion  of  the  fleet  returned  to  Grand  Gulf, 
and  for  the  time,  silenced  the  rebel  battery  at  that  point. 
The  gunboat  fleet  having  cleared  the  river  to  Vicksburg 


148  GENERAL   GRANT 

from  above,  after  reaching  that  place  returned  north,  to 
operate  on  the  rivers  of  Arkansas. 

The  movements  of  the  Union  army  under  General  Grant, 
after  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  and  the  arrival  of  Farra- 
gut's  fleet  before  Vicksburg,  had  such  an  effect  upon  the 
rebel  inhabitants  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  that  they,  on 
June  16th,  1862,  removed  their  state  archives  from  their 
capital — Jackson — to  a  more  remote  position.  On  the 
27th  of  June,  1862,  the  fleet  began  bombarding  Vicksburg, 
and  with  the  aid  of  Porter's  mortar  fleet,  kept  shelling  the 
rebel  position  at  intervals,  until  the  end  of  July,  when  the 
river  was  found  to  be  so  low,  that  the  fleet  had  to  retire  to 
New  Orleans,  to  prevent  the  larger  vessels  from  becoming 
aground. 

About  twelve  miles  north  of  Vicksburg  is  the  mouth  of  the 
Yazoo  River,  the  waters  of  which  stream  are  deep  enough  to 
float  an  ordinary  river  vessel,  at  almost  any  season  of  the 
year.  Up  this  river,  the  rebels  had  established  an  impro 
vised  navy-yard ;  had  there  constructed  a  powerful  iron-clad 
ram,  which  they  had  named  the  "  Arkansas ;"  and,  to  pre 
vent  an  enemy  from  passing  up  the  Yazoo  River  to  destroy 
this  ship-building,  the  rebels  had  fortified  Haines's  Bluff,  a 
strong  elevation,  a  short  distance  above  the  point  where 
the  Yazoo  falls  into  the  Mississippi  River.  On  July  15th, 
1862,  this  ram  came  down  the  Yazoo,  ran  by  the  fleet,  and 
laid  up  before  the  city  of  Vicksburg,  adding  thereby  a 
floating  battery  to  the  works  of  that  place.  The  gunboat 
"  Essex"  and  the  ram  "  Queen  of  the  West,"  however,  sub 
sequently  inflicted  such  injuries  on  this  rebel  vessel,  that 
in  a  short  time  she  was  completely  destroyed. 

At  this  time,  Vicksburg  and  its  vicinity  formed  a  portion 
of  the  Union  Department  of  the  Gulf,  therefore,  all  military 
operations  had  to  be  made  by  troops  having  their  base  at 
New  Orleans.  While  the  United  States  vessels  were  en- 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  149 

• 

gaged  as  just  described,  the  troops,  which  consisted  of  one 
small  division  of  infantry,  under  General  Williams,  were 
far  from  being  idle. 

An  idea  had  been  conceived  that  it  was  possible  to  iso 
late  the  city  of  Vickt-  burg,  which  was  located  on  a  bend 
of  the  Mississippi  R.ver,  by  turning  the  course  of  that 
stream,  and  thus  force  the  city  inland,  some  six  miles.* 
As  the  only  strategical  value  of  Vicksburg  to  the  rebels 
was  its  power  in  blockading  the  river,  if  the  channel  could 
be  thus  changed  into  another  direction,  the  rebel  works 
would  be  useless,  and  could  be  reduced  without  much 
bloodshed,  even  if  they  were  not  voluntarily  abandoned.  To 
effect  this  change  in  the  channel  of  the  river,  it  was  deemed 
necessary  to  cut  a  canal  across  the  neck  of  land  between 
De  Soto  and  Richmond,  La.,  and  nearly  opposite  Vicks 
burg.  The  troops  were  therefore  employed  on  this  work, 
while  the  fleet  bombarded  the  city.  If  the  channel  had 
been  thus  changed,  the  piece  of  land  cut  off  in  this  method 
would  have  been  taken  out  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  and 
added  to  the  State  of  Mississippi. 

On  the  22d  of  July,  1862,  this  canal  was  declared  com 
pleted  ;  but  the  waters  of  the  river  were  too  low  to  flow 
through  it,  at  least  it  was  then  so  supposed ;  but,  after 
wards,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  canal  was  located  in  the 
wrong  spot,  to  cause  any  variation  in  the  channel. 

The  waters  of  the  river  continuing  to  subside  rapidly,  it 
was  deemed  advisable  to  raise  the  siege  ;  and  the  rebels 
took  this  opportunity  to  fill  up  the  canal  cut  by  the  Union 
troops,  and  then  to  add  their  Vicksburg  garrison  to  the 
force  engaged  against  Corinth,  during  the  early  part  of 
October.  They,  also,  further  fortified  the  hills  around 

*  On  many  previous  occasions,  the  course  of  the  Mississippi  River 
had  been  changed  in  one  night,  by  merely  running  a  plough  across  a 
neck  of  land,  aud  thus  making  a  previous  peninsula  into  an  island. 


150  GENERAL   GRANT 

Vicksburg,  on  both  the  land  and  water  sides,  so  as  to  ren 
der  it,  if  possible,  perfectly  impregnable. 

Such  was  the  position  of  affairs,  when  General  Grant 
commenced  his  advance  into  the  State  of  Mississippi ;  and 
to  prevent  the  naval  vessels  from  N  iw  Orleans  from  again 
ascending  the  river,  to  co-operate  with  him,  the  rebel  forces, 
on  November  25th,  1862,  fortified  Port  Hudson,  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  East  Feliciana  County,  La.,  and  a 
short  distance  above  Baton  Rouge. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  151 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

FIRST  MOVEMENTS   TOWARDS   VICKSBUBG. 

GENERAL  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  one  of  the  officers  who  had 
served  under  General  Grant,  from  the  first  day  he  assumed 
command  at  Cairo,  asserted,  in  the  halls  of  the  National 
Congress ,  that,  if  the  Mississippi  River  could  not  other 
wise  be  opened,  "  the  men  of  the  Northwest  would  hew 
their  way  to  the  Gulf,"  if  the  opportunity  was  only  al 
lowed  them.  The  Government,  finding  this  to  be  the  tem 
per  of  those  hardy  Western  men,  determined  to  foster  that 
feeling,  by  not  only  enlarging  General  Grant's  Depart 
ment,  but  also  by  increasing  his  forces. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  a  force  of  infantry  and  cav 
alry,  under  Generals  A.  P.  Hovey  and  Washburne,  arrived 
at  Delta,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Yazoo  Pass.  They  had  started  the  previous  day  from  He 
lena,  on  the  Arkansas  shore,  at  which  point  the  Union 
troops  about  to  join  General  Grant  were  being  concen 
trated.  General  Washburne's  cavalry  made  a  reconnoissance 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Cold  water  River,  where  he  captured  a 
rebel  camp,  a  number  of  horses,  arms,  and  equipments,  and 
routed  the  enemy.  The  reconnoissance  was  pushed  along 
both  the  Coldwater  and  Tallahatchie  Rivers,  thence  to 
Preston,  after  which  an  expedition  was  sent  to  Garner's 
Station,  to  destroy  the  railroad  bridge  and  track.  This 
expedition  was  completely  successful,  as  were  several  others 


152  GENERAL   GRANT 

of  a  similar  character.  The  cavalry  then  returned  via 
Charleston,  and  formed  a  junction,  near  Mitchell's  Cross- 
Roads,  with  General  Hovey's  forces.  The  reconnoissance 
was  next  pushed  up  to  Panola,  where  an  abandoned  rebel 
camp  was  discovered,  the  occupants  having  fled  during  the 
previous  night.  The  cavalry  again  moved  in  a  southerly 
direction  to  Oakland,  and  along  the  road  towards  Coflfee- 
ville.  After  ascertaining  the  exact  position  of  the  rebel 
forces,  and  being  engaged  in  a  few  skirmishes,  this  part 
of  the  expedition  returned  to  the  mouth  of  the  Cold  water 
River.  General  Hovey's  command  also  cut  some  portions 
of  the  railroad  lines.  This  movement  created  quite  a 
panic  among  the  rebels  of  the  Southwest. 

Meanwhile,  the  main  forces,  under  General  Grant,  moved 
steadily  forward  along  the  line  of  railroad  leading  from 
Grand  Junction  to  Grenada.  On  November  28th,  the  ad 
vance  left  Davis' s  Mills  for  Holly  Springs,  Colonel  Lee's 
cavalry  pushing  on  ahead.  All  along  the  line  of  march 
were  evidences  of  the  recent  cavalry  operations  of  the 
Union  forces.  At  ten  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  November 
29th,  the  advance  passed  through  Holly  Springs,  pushing 
on  rapidly  still  further  south,  arriving  near  Waterford  on 
the  30th.  In  this  place  was  discovered  several  evidences 
of  the  illegal  traffic  that  had  been  carried  on  through  the 
rebel  lines ;  one  house,  in  St.  Louis,  having  a  branch  clothing 
establishment  for  the  supply  of  the  rebels.  This,  and  simi 
lar  facts,  led  General  Grant  to  issue  his  order,  No.  11. 

Cavalry  reconnoissances  were  sent  out  under  Colonel 
Lee,  and  discovered  the  enemy  in  force  on  the  Tallahatchie. 
A  skirmish  took  place  on  November  30th,  near  Abbeville, 
resulting  in  the  retreat  of  the  rebels  to  the  defences  at  that 
place.  On  the  2d  of  December,  Abbeville  was  evacuated, 
and  occupied  by  the  Union  forces.  A  series  of  skirmishes 
occurred  on  December  3d,  near  Oxford,  Miss.,  between  the 


AND    I1IS    CAMPAIGNS.  153 

Union  cavalry  advance  and  the  rebels,  and  resulted  in  the 
retreat  of  the  latter.  The  cavalry  then  pushed  on  after 
Van  Dorn's  retreating  column,  and,  on  December  4th, 
drove  the  rebels  out  of  Water  Valley,  engaging  them 
sharply  near  Coffeeville,  on  December  5th. 

As  the  cavalry  thus  pushed  on,  they  were  followed  by 
the  main  army  under  General  Grant,  whose  generalship 
was  plainly  manifested  in  every  movement  he  made.  By 
sending  General  Hovey's  forces,  via  Delta,  toward  the  rail 
road  lines,  he  created  a  panic  in  the  very  vicinity  through 
which  he  was  marching,  thus  making  his  advance  almost 
a  bloodless  one.  The  gunboat  fleet  were  also  operating 
along  the  rivers,  especially  the  Yazoo,  in  which  torpedoes 
had  been  sunk  by  the  rebels,  to  repel  the  advance.  On 
December  llth,  the  gunboat  Cairo  was  sunk  by  the  ex 
plosion  of  one  of  these  hidden  weapons. 

Skirmishes  would  occasionally  take  place  at  the  posts 
left  behind  General  Grant  in  his  advance,  but  as  he  always 
took  care  that  such  places  should  be  well  guarded,  these 
brief  contests  did  not,  at  first,  interfere  with  his  move 
ments.  On  December  12th,  a  skirmish  took  place  at  Cor 
inth,  but  was  handsomely  repulsed  by  Colonel  (since  Gen 
eral)  Sweeny. 

General  Grant's  head-quarters  had,  by  this  time,  been  re 
moved  to  Oxford,  Mississippi ;  but,  in  consequence  of  the 
attack  upon  and  disgraceful  surrender  of  Holly  Springs,  on 
December  20th,  with  all  its  stores,  etc.,  so  necessary  to  the 
advance,  General  Grant's  main  forces  had  to  fall  back  to 
that  place,  where  he  located  his  head-quarters,  in  order  to 
recruit  his  supplies.  Upon  the  investigation  of  the  matter 
concerning  this  surrender,  General  Grant  found  that  it  was 
not  warranted  by  any  circumstances  that  attended  it,  and 
he  expressed  his  dispic^sure  in  the  following  condemnatory 
order : — 

7* 


154  GENERAL   GKANT 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  13TH  ARMY  CORPS,       J 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 
HOLLY  SPRINGS,  Miss.,  December  24,  1862.  ) 

[Special  Field  Orders,  No.  23.]         (Extract.} 

It  is  with  pain  and  mortification  that  the  General  Commanding  reflects 
upon  the  disgraceful  surrender  of  the  place,  with  all  the  valuable  stores  it  con 
tained,  on  the  20th  inst.,  and  that  without  any  resistance  except  by  a  few 
men,  who  form  an  honorable  exception;  and  this,  too,  after  warning 
had  been  giving  of  the  enemy  northward,  the  evening  previous.  "With 
all  the  cotton,  public  stores,  and  substantial  buildings  about  the  depot, 
it  would  have  been  perfectly  practicable  to  have  made,  in  a  few  hours,  a  de 
fence  sufficient-to  resist,  with  a  small  garrison,  all  the  cavalry  force  brought 
against  them  until  the  re-enforcements  which  the  commanding  officer  was 
notified  were  marching  to  his  relief  could  have  reached  him. 

The  conduct  of  officers  and  men  in  accepting  paroles,  under  the  circum 
stances,  is  highly  reprehensible,  and,  to  say  the  least,  thoughtless.  By 
the  terms  of  the  Dix-Hill  cartel  each  party  is  bound  to  take  care  of  their 
prisoners  and  to  send  them  to  Vicksburg,  or  a  point  on  the  James  River, 
for  exchange,  or  parole,  unless  some  other  point  is  mutually  agreed  upon 
by  the  generals  commanding  the  opposing  armies. 

By  a  refusal  to  be  paroled,  tha  enemy,  from  his  inability  to  take  care  of 
the  prisoners,  would  have  been  compelled  either  to  have  refused  them  uncon 
ditionally,  or  to  have  abandoned  further  aggressive  movements  for  the  time 
being,  which  would  have  made  their  recapture,  and  the  discomfiture  of  the 
enemy  almost  certain. 

The  prisoners  paroled  at  this  place  will  be  collected  in  camp  at  once 
by  the  post  commander,  and  held  under  close  guard  until  their  case  can 
be  reported  to  Washington  for  further  instructions. 

Commanders  throughout  the  department  are  directed  to  arrest  and  hold 
as  above  all  men  of  their  commands  and  all  stragglers  who  may  have 
accepted  their  paroles  upon  like  terms. 

The  General  Commanding  is  satisfied  that  the  majority  of  the  troops 
who  accepted  a  parole  did  so  thoughtlessly  and  from  want  of  knowledge 
of  the  cartel  referred  to,  and  that  in  future  they  will  not  be  caught  in 
the  samQ  way. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLIXS,  A.  A.-G. 

Other  posts  in  General  Grant's  rear  were  attacked  at 
about  the  same  time  as  Holly  Springs,  but  were  bravely 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  155 

defended  by  their  garrisons,  and  the  rebel  onslaughts  re 
pulsed.  General  Grant,  therefore,  caused  a  full  investiga 
tion  to  be  made,  respecting  the  conduct  of  the  troops  at  all 
the  points  that  were  assailed,  and  expressed  his  feelings 
concerning  it,  in  the  following  order  : — 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TEIJNESSEE,  ) 
HOLLY  SPRINGS,   Miss.,  January  8,  1863.          J 
[General  Orders,  No.  4.] 

I.  The  Major- General  Commanding  the  department  takes  just  pride 
and   satisfaction  in  congratulating  the  small  garrisons  of  the  posts  of 
Coldwater,  Davis's  Mills,  and  Middleburg,  for  the  heroic  defence  of  their 
positions  on  the  20th,  21st,  and  24th  ultimo,  and  their  successful  repulse  of 
an  enemy  many  times  their  number. 

The  90th  Illinois,  at  Coldwater  (its  first  engagement );  the  detach 
ment  of  the  veteran  25th  Indiana,  and  two  companies  of  the  5th  Ohio 
Cavalry,  at  Davis's  Mills ;  and  the  detachment  of  the  gallant  12th  Michi 
gan  at  Middleburg,  are  deserving  of  the  thanks  of  the  army,  which  was  in 
a  measure  dependent  upon  the  road  they  so  nobly  defended  for  supplies, 
and  they  will  receive  the  meed  of  praise  ever  awarded  by  a  grateful 
public  to  those  who  bravely  and  successfully  do  their  duty. 

These  regiments  are  entitled  to  inscribe  upon  their  banners,  respec 
tively,  Coldwater,  Davis's  Mills,  and  Middleburg,  with  the  names  of  other 
battle-fields  made  victorious  by  their  valor  and  discipline. 

It  is  gratify  ing  to  know  that  at  every  point  where  our  troops  made  a  stand 
during  the.  late  raid  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  success  followed,  and  the  enemy 
was  made  to  suffer  a  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  greater  than  the  entire  gar 
risons  of  the  places  attacked.  Especially  was  this  the  case  of  Davis's  Mills 
and  Middleburg.  The  only  success  gained  by  Van  Dorn  was  at  Holly 
Springs,  where  the  whole  garrison  was  left  by  their  commander  in  ignorance 
of  the  approach  of  danger. 

II.  Colonel  R.  C.  Murphy,  of  the  8th   Regiment  "Wisconsin  Infantry 
Volunteers,  having,  while  in  command  of  the  post  of  Holly  Springs, 
Mississippi,  neglected  and  failed  to  exercise  the  usual  and  ordinary  pre 
cautions  to  guard  and  protect  the  same;  having,  after  repeated  and 
timely  warning  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  failed  to  make  any  pre 
parations  for  resistance  or  defence,  or  shown  any  disposition  to  do  so ;  and 
having,  with  a  force  amply  sufficient  to  have  repulsed  the  enemy  and 
protect  the  public  stores  intrusted  to  his  care,  disgracefully  permitted 
him  to  capture  the  post  and  destroy  the  stores — and  the  movement  of 


156  GENERAL   GBA.NT 

troops  in  the  face  of  an  enemy  rendering  it  impracticable  to  convene  a 
court-martial  for  his  trial — is,  therefore,  dismissed  the  service  of  the  United 
States — to  take  effect  from  the  20th  day  of  December,  1862,  the  date  of  his 
cowardly  and  disgraceful  conduct. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  B.AWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

It  will  be  seen,  by  the  date  of  the  above  order,  that  it 
had  not  been  issued  in  the  heat  of  the  moment,  or  without 
due  consideration,  but  had  been  the  result  of  a  careful  in 
vestigation  of  the  merits  and  demerits  of  the  case. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  157 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


TIOX. 

THE  forces  under  General  Grant  having  now  been  in 
creased  to  such  an  extent  as  to  authorize  their  division 
into  Army  Corps,the  following  order  was  issued,  and  gave 
directions  for  the  arrangement  of  the  forces  by  divisions 
into  corps,  and  stated  who  were  the  commanders  of  the 
new  organizations : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
HOLLY  SPRINGS,  Miss.,  Dec.  22,  1862.         y 
[General  Orders,  No.  14.] 

By  directions  of  the  General-in-Chief  of  the  army,  the  troops  in  this 
department,  including  those  of  the  Department  of  the  Missouri  opera 
ting  on  the  Mississippi  River,  are  hereby  divided  into  four  Army  Corps, 
as  follows: 

1.  The  troops  composing  the  9th  Division,  Brigadier-General  G.  "W. 
Morgan  commanding;  the  10th  Division,  Brigadier-General  A.  J.  Smith 
commanding;  and  all  other  troops  operating  on  the  Mississippi  River 
below  Memphis,  not  included  in  the  15th  Army  Corps,  will  constitute  the 
liith  Army  Corps,  under  the  command  of  Major-General  John  A.  Mc- 
Clernand. 

2.  The  5th  Division,  Brigadier-General  Morgan  L.  Smith  commanding; 
the    Division  from  Helena,  Ark.,  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  F. 
Steele  ;  and  the  forces  in  the  "  District  of  Memphis,"  will  constitute  the 
15th  Army  Corps,  and  be  commanded  by  Major-General  "W.  T.  Sherman. 

:>>.  The  6th  Division,  Brigadier-General  J.  Me  Arthur  commanding ; 
the  7th  division,  Brigadier-General  I.  F".  Quinby  commanding;  the  8th 
Division,  Brigadier  General  L.  F.  Ross  commanding  ;  the  2d  Brigade  of 
Cavalry,  Colonel  A.  L.  Lee  commanding ;  and  the  troops  in  the  "  Dis- 


158  GENERAL   GRANT 

trict  of  Columbus,"  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Davies,  and  those 
in  the  "  District  of  Jackson,"  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Sullivan, 
will  constitute  the  16th  Army  Corps,  and  be  commanded  by  Major-Gen- 
eral  S.  A.  Hurlbut. 

4.  The  1st  Division,  Brigadier- General  J.  W.  Denver  commanding; 
the  3d  Division,  Brigadier-General  John  A.  Logan  commanding ;  the  4th 
Division,  Brigadier-General  J.  G.  Lauman  commanding;  the  1st  Bri 
gade  of  Cavalry,  Colonel  B.  II.  Grierson  commanding  ;  and  the  forces  in 
the  "District  of  Corinth,"  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  G.  M. 
Dodge,  will  constitute  the  17th  Army  Corps,  and  be  commanded  by 
Major-General  J.  B.  McPherson. 

District  commanders  will  send  consolidated  returns  of  their  forces  to 
these  head-quarters  as  well  as  to  Army  Corps  head-quarters,  and  will, 
for  the  present,  receive  orders  from  Department  head-quarters. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-  G. 

Another  general  order  transposed  the  divisions  of  Gen 
erals  Me  Arthur  and  Quinby,  of  the  1 6th  Army  Corps,  with 
those  of  Generals  Lauman  and  Denver,  of  the  17th. 

Two  days  before  the  issuance  of  the  foregoing,  General 
Sherman,  who  had  been  placed  in  command  of  an  expedi 
tion  down  the  Mississippi  River  to  Vicksburg,  and  who  had 
personally  made  certain  reconnoissances  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Tallahatchie  River,  embarked  his  forces  at  Memphis, 
and  they  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Friar's  Point, 
eighteen  miles  below  Helena.  The  fleet  consisted  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-seven  steamers,  in  addition  to  the 
gunboats.  General  Sherman's  force  was  composed  en 
tirely  of  Western  men,  good  fighters,  hardy,  daring,  and 
used  to  a  rough  and  adventurous  life. 

In  order  that  the  expedition  might  be  composed  entirely 
of  fighting  material,  General  Sherman  issued  the  following, 
before  embarking  his  forces : 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  159 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  RIGHT  WING  13xn  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 
MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  Dec.  18,  1862.  J 

[General  Orders,  No.  8.] 

1.  The  expedition  now  fitting  out  is  purely  of  a  military  character, 
and  the  interests  involved  are  of  too  important  a  nature  to  be  mixed 
up  with  personal  and  private  business.    No  citizen,  male  or  female,  will  be 
allowed  to  accompany  it,  unless  employed  as  part  of  a  crew  or  as  ser 
vants  to  the  transports.     Female  chambermaids  to  the  boats  and  nurses 
to  the  sick  alone  will  be  allowed,  unless  the  wives  of  captains  and  pilots 
actually  belonging  to  the  boats.    No  laundress,  officer's,  or  soldier's  wifo 
must  pass  below  Helena. 

2.  No  person  whatever,  citizen,  officer,  or  sutler,  will,  on  any  con 
sideration,  buy   or  deal  in   cotton   or  other  produce  of  the   country. 
Should  any  cotton  be  brought  on  board  of  any  transport  going  or  return 
ing,  the  brigade   quartermaster,   of  which  the  boat  forms  a  part,  will 
take  possession  of  it,  and  invoice    it  to  Captain   A.  R.  Eddy,  Chief 
Quartermaster  at  Memphis. 

3.  Should  any  cotton  or  other  produce,  be  brought  back  to  Memphis 
by  any  chartered  boat,  Captain  Eddy  will  take  possession  of  the  same, 
and  sell  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  United  States.     If  accompanied  by  its 
actual  producer,   the  planter  or  factor,  the  quartermaster  will  furnish 
him  with  a  receipt  for  the  same  to  be  settled  for,  on  proof  of  his  loyal 
ty  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

4.  Boats  ascending  the  river  may  take  cotton  from  the  shore  for  bulk 
heads  to  protect  their  engines  or  crew,  but  on  arrival  at  Memphis  it 
will  be  turned  over  to  the  quartermaster  with  a  statement  of  the  time, 
place,  and  name  of  its  owner.     The  trade  in  cotton  must  await  a  more 
peaceful  state  of  affairs. 

5.  Should  any  citizen  accompany  the  expedition  below  Helena,  in  violation 
of  these  orders,  any  colonel  of  a  regiment  or  captain  of  a  battery  will  con 
script  him  into  the  service  of  the  United  States*for  the  unexpired  term  of  his 
command.     If  he  show  a  refractory  spirit  unfitting  him  for  a  soldier,  the 
commanding  officer  present  will  turn  him  over  to  the  captain  of  the  boat  as 
a  deck  hand,  and  compel  him  to  work  in  that  capacity  without  wages  until 
the  boat  returns  to  Memphis. 

6.  Any  person  whatever,  whether  in  the  service  of  the  United  States 
or  transports,  found  making  reports  for  publication,  which  might  reach 
the  enemy,  giving  them  information,  aid,  and  comfort,  will  be  arrested 
and  treated  as  spies.        By  order  of  Major-General  SHERMAN. 

J.  H.  HAMMOND,  Major  and  A.  A.-G. 


160  GENERAL   GRANT 

The  above  order  certainly  gave  speculators  due  warning 
of  what  they  might  expect,  if  they  attempted  to  conceal 
themselves  among  the  soldiers  and  were  found  out. 

General  Sherman,  when  he  left  Memphis,  located '  his 
head-quarters  on  the  "Forest  Queen,"  and  with  his  staff 
arrived  at  Friar's  Point  on  December  21st.  It  will  thus 
be  seen  that  General  Sherman  was  entirely  unaware  of  the 
necessity  which  existed  in  General  Grant  retracing  his 
steps  from  Oxford  to  Holly  Springs ;  and  as  the  plan  had 
been  for  the  latter  to  move  upon  Jackson  by  the  railroad, 
thence  to  Vicksburg,  while  the  former  attacked  the  works,  a 
proper  combination  was  certainly  needed  to  secure  success. 

]Sror  was  it  possible  for  General  Grant  to  inform  Gen 
eral  'Sherman  of  his  retrograde  movement ;  and  it  was  only 
to  be  hoped  that,  having  the  moral  support  of  supposing 
General  Grant  was  successful,  he  would  himself  succeed. 

As  it  was,  the  troops  that  had  retreated  before  General 
Grant's  advance,  finding  that  tlley  were  released  from  the 
necessity  of  further  resisting  him — as  it  would  have  been  a 
fatal  madness  for  him  to  have  pushed  on  to  Jackson  with 
out  supplies — were  immediately  transported  to  Vicksburg 
to  resist  the  onslaught  of  General  Sherman,  of  whose 
expedition  the  rebels  had  been  duly  apprised  by  their  sym 
pathizers  in  Memphis. 

General  Sherman,  therefore,  proceeded  with  his  part  of 
the  expedition,  and  landed  a  small  force  under  General 
Morgan  L.  Smith,  at  Milliken's  Bend.  These  troops  pro 
ceeded  to  Delhi  and  Dallas,  on  the  Vicksburg  and  Texas 
Railroad,  and  destroyed  the  depots  and  a  section  of  the 
track,  so  as  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  rebels  from  Vicks 
burg. 

It  will  be  seen  that  General  Grant's  plan  was  a  splendid 
one  ;  and  but  for  the  surrender  of  Holly  Springs,  must  have 
proved  successful. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  161 

On  the  27th  of  December,  1862,  the  main  forces  under 
General  Sherman,  having  successfully  disembarked  at 
Johnston's  Landing,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo  River, 
the  command  next  prepared  for  an  assault  upon  the  north 
ern  works  that  defended  the  city  of  Vicksburg. 


162  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

SHERMAN'S  ATTACK  UPON  VICKSBURG. — ARKANSAS  POST.* 

THE  forces  under  General  Sherman  consisted  of  four  di 
visions,  and  were  known  as  the  "Right  Wing  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee." 

At  about  noon  of  December  26th,  1862,  the  fleet  of  trans 
ports  arrived  off  Johnston's  Landing,  and  under  cover  of 
the  gunboats,  the  men  were  disembarked ;  the  armed  ves 
sels  having  first  silenced  the  battery  which  the  rebels  had 
planted.  By  early  morning  the  whole  force,  infantry  and 
artillery  were  landed — the  advance  having  already  moved 
some  distance  inland. 

Vicksburg,  from  this  point  of  landing,  was  peculiarly 
situated,  being  on  a  hill,  with  a  line  of  hills  surrounding  it 
at  a  distance  of  several  miles,  and  extending  from  Haines' 
Bluff,  on  the  Yazoo  River,  to  Warrenton,  ten  miles  below 
the  city,  on  the  Mississippi  River.  The  low  country  in  the 
vicinity  is  swampy,  filled  with  sloughs,  bayous,  and  lagoons. 
To  approach  Vicksburg  with  a  large  force  by  this  route, 
even  in  times  of  peace,  would  be  a  matter  of  great  diffi 
culty,  and  with  an  enemy  in  front,  it  was  almost  an  im 
possibility. 

*  These  two  actions  were  not  under  the  immediate  supervision  of 
General  Grant ;  but  as  they  occurred  within  his  department,  and  were 
fought  by  his  troops,  they  consequently  form  a  portion  of  his  military  his 
tory.  Under  such  circumstances,  it  is  not  necessary  to  fully  describe 
each  battle  in  detail,  but  briefly  allude  to  them,  so  as  to  connect  tho 
links  in  tho  historic  chain. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  163 

On  Saturday  morning,  December  27th,  1862,  the  army- 
was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle,  prepared  to  make  the  as 
sault  on  the  enemy's  works.  The  general  advance  was 
then  commenced  from  different  points,  and  by  dusk  the 
enemy  was  driven  at  least  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  his  for 
mer  position.* 

On  the  28th,  the  men  fought  with  great  bravery  and  de 
termination  ;  but  the  non-arrival  of  the  left  wing  had  com 
pletely  disarranged  the  plan  of  battle.  The  enemy  had 
also  by  this  time,  been  considerably  re-enforced  by  the 
troops  that  had  fled  from  before  General  Grant's  advance  ; 
and  the  missiles  from  this  concentrated  body  were  thrown 
with  great  rapidity  upon  General  Sherman's  lines.  The 
rebels,  however,  refused  to  come  from  behind  their  de 
fences,  which,  on  the  morning  of  the  29th,  extended  for  at 
least  two  miles  up  the  bluffs — the  newly  arrived  troops 
having  been  at  once  set  to  work,  during  the  previous  night, 
throwing  up  earthwork  batteries  in  all  directions,  and  at 
every  assailable  point.  The  position  was  naturally  strong, 
but  by  the  addition  of  art,  it  was  made  completely  impreg 
nable  against  so  small  a  force  as  that  commanded  by  Gen 
eral  Sherman.  The  woods  were  also  filled  with  sharpshoot 
ers,  who  picked  off  the  officers  with  great  rapidity. 

During  Monday,  the  29th,  several  brilliant  charges  were 
made  by  the  troops  on  the  rebel  works  ;  but  all  was  in 
vain,  as  the  men  were,  on  all  occasions  outnumbered  by  the 
enemy,  and  consequently  could  not  hold  the  positions,  even 
after  they  were  taken.  General  Blair's  brigade,  headed 

% 

*  G-enoral  Sherman  had  so  far  successfully  carried  out  his  part 
of  the  programme ;  and  it  was  by  this  time  expected  that  General  Grant 
would  have  been  able  to  co-operate  with  him.  The  surrender  of  Holly 
Springs,  as  before  described,  had,  however,  prevented  the  latter  from 
following  out  his  portion  of  the  plan;  and  thus,  by  the  delinquency  of  one 
subordinate,  the  whole  campaign  was  ruined. 


164  GENERAL   GKANT 

by  himself  on  foot,  particularly  distinguished  itself,  and 
suffered  the  greatest  loss.  As  the  men  fell  back  upon  their 
supports,  the  last  man  to  leave  the  hill,  was  the  brigade 
commander. 

The  following  description  of  the  charge  is  given  by  one 
who  witnessed  the  whole  action : 

General  Morgan,  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  sent  word  to  General  Steelo 
that  he  was  about  ready  for  the  movement  upon  the  hill,  and  wished  the 
latter  to  support  him  with  General  Thayer's  Brigade.  General  Steele 
accordingly  ordered  General,  Thayer  to  move  his  brigade  forward,  and  bo 
ready  for  the  assault.  The  order  was  promptly  complied  with,  and  Gen 
eral  Blair  received  from  General  Morgan  the  order  to  assault  the  hill. 
The  artillery  had  been  silent  for  some  time ;  but  Hoffman's  Battery 
opened  when  the  movement  commenced.  This  was  promptly  replied  to 
by  the  enemy,  and  taken  up  byGriffith's  First  Iowa  Battery,  and  a  vig 
orous  shelling  was  the  result.  By  the  time  General  Blair's  Brigade 
emerged  from  its  cover  of  cypress  forest,  the  shell  were  dropping  fast 
among  the  men.  A  field  battery  had  been  in  position  in  front  of  Hoff 
man's  Battery ;  but  it  limbered  up  and  moved  away  beyond  the  heavy 
batteries  and  the  rifle-pits. 

In  front  of  the  timber  where  Blair's  Brigade  had  been  lying  was  an 
abatis  of  young  trees,  cut  off  about  three  feet  above  the  ground,  and  with 
the  tops  fallen  promiscuously  around.  It  took  some  minutes  to  pass 
this  abatis,  and  by  the  time  it  was  accomplished  the  enemy's  lire  had 
not  been  without  effect.  Beyond  this  abatis  was  a  ditch  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet  deep,  and  with  two  or  three  feet  of  water  in  the  bottom.  The 
bottom  of  the  ditch  was  a  quicksand,  in  which  the  feet  of  the  men  com 
menced  sinking,  the  instant  they  touched  it.  By  the  time  this  ditch  was 
passed  the  line  was  thrown  into  considerable  confusion,  and  it  took  seve 
ral  minutes  to  put  it  in  order.  All  the  horses  of  the  officers  were  mired 
in  this  ditch.  Every  one  dismounted  and  moved  up  the  hill  on  foot. 

Beyond  this  ditch  was  an  abatis  of  heavy  timber  that  had  been  felled 
several  months  before,  and,  from  being  completely  seasoned,  was  more 
difficult  of  passage  than  that  constructed  of  the  greener  and  more  flex 
ible  trees  encountered  at  first.  These  obstacles  were  overcome  under  a 
tremendous  fire  from  the  enemy's  batteries  and  the  men  in  the  rifle-pits. 
The  line  was  recovered  from  the  disorder  into  which  it  had  been  thrown 
by  the  passage  of  the  abatis ;  and,  with  General  Blair  at  their  head,  the 
regiments  n^yed  forward  "  upon  the  enemy's  works."  The  first  move- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  165 

raent  was  over  a  sloping  plateau,  raked  by  direct  and  enfilading  fires  from 
heavy  artillery,  and  swept  by  a  perfect  storm  of  bullets  from  the  rifle- 
pits.  Nothing  daunted  by  the  dozens  of  men  that  had  already  fallen,  the 
brigade  pressed  on,  and  in  a  few  moments  had  driven  the  enemy  from  the 
first  range  of  rifle-pits  at  the  base  of  the  hill,  and  were  in  full  possession. 
Halting  but  a  moment  to  take  breath,  the  brigade  renewed  the  charge, 
and  speedily  occupied  the  second  line  of  rifle-pits,  about  two  hundred 
yards  distant  from  the  first.  General  Blair  was  the  first  man  of  his 
brigade  to  enter.  All  this  time  the  murderous  fire  from  the  enemy's 
guns  continued.  The  batteries  were  still  above  this  line  of  rifle-pits. 
The  regiments  were  not  strong  enough  to  attempt  their  capture  without 
a  prompt  and  powerful  support.  For  them  it  had  truly  been  a  march 

Into  the  jaws  of  death — 
Into  the  mouth  of  hell. 

Almost  simultaneously  with  the  movement  of  General  Blair  on  the 
left,  Gen.  Thayer  received  his  command  to  go  forward.  He  had  previ 
ously  given  orders  to  all  his  regiments  in  column  to  follow  each  other 
whenever  the  first  moved  forward.  He  accordingly  placed  himself  at 
the  head  of  his  advance  regiment,  the  Fourth  Iowa,  and  his  order — 
"  Forward,  Second  Brigade !" — rang  out  clear  above  the  tumult.  Colonel 
Williamson,  commanding  the  Fourth  Iowa,  moved  it  off  in  splendid  style. 
General  Thayer  supposed  that  all  the  other  regiments  of  his  brigade  were 
following,  in  accordance  with  his  instructions  previously  issued.  He 
wound  through  the  timber  skirting  the  bayou,  crossed  at  the  same  bridge 
where  General  Blair  had  passed  but  a  few  minutes  before,  made  his  way 
through  the  ditch  and  both  lines  of  abatis,  deflected  the  right  and 
ascended  the  sloping  plateau  in  the  direction  of  the  rifle-pits  simulta 
neously  with  General  Blair,  and  about  two  hundred  yards  to  his  right. 

When  General  Thayer  reached  the  rifle-pits,  after  hard  fighting  and  a 
heavy  loss,  he  found,  to  his  horror,  that  only  the  Fourth  Iowa  had  fol 
lowed  him,  the  wooded  nature  of  the  place  having  prevented  his  ascer 
taining  it  before.  Sadly  disheartened,  with  little  hope  of  success,  he 
still  pressed  forward  and  fought  his  way  to  the  second  line,  at  the  same 
time  that  General  Blair  reached  it  on  the  left.  Colonel  Williamson's 
regiment  was  fast  falling  before  the  concentrated  fire  of  the  rebels,  and 
with  an  anxious  heart  General  Thayer  looked  around  for  aid. 

The  rebels  were  forming  three  full  regiments  of  infantry  to  move 
down  upon  General  Thayer,  and  were  massing  a  proportionately  for 
midable  force  against  General  Blair.  The  rebel  infantry  and  artillery 
were  constantly  in  full  play,  and  two  heavy  guns  were  raking  the  rifle- 


166  GENERAL    GRANT 

pits  in  several  places.  With  no  hope  of  succor,  General  Thuyer  g.ivo 
the  order  for  a  return  down  the  hill  and  back  to  his  original  position. 
The  Fourth  Iowa,  entering  the  light  five  hundred  strong,  had  lost  a  hun 
dred  and  twenty  men  in  less  than  thirty  minutes.  It  fell  back  at  a.  qui«:\- 
march,  but  with  its  ranks  unbroken  and  without  any  thing  of  panic. 

It  appears  that  just  at  the  time  General  Thayer's  Brigade  started  up 
the  hill,  General  Morgan  sent  for  a  portion  of  it  to  support  him  on  the 
right.  General  Steele  at  once  diverted  the  Second  Regiment  of  Thayer's 
Brigade,  which  was  passing  at  the  time.  The  Second  Regiment  being 
thus  diverted,  the  others  followed,  in  accordance  with  the  orders  they 
had  previously  received  from  their  commander.  Notice  of  the  move 
ment  was  sent  to  General  Thayer;  but,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of 
the  courier,  the  notification  never  reached  him.  This  accounts  for  his 
being  left  with  nothing  save  the  Fourth  Iowa  Regiment.  The  occur 
rence  was  a  sad  one.  The  troops  thus  turned  off  were  among  the  best 
that  had  yet  been  in  action,  and  had  they  been  permitted  to  charge  the 
enemy  they  would  have  won  for  themselves  a  brilliant  record. 

When  General  Blair  entered  the  second  line  of  rifle-pits,  his  brigade 
continued  to  pursue  the  enemy  up  the  hilL  The  Thirteenth  Illinois  In 
fantry  was  in  advance,  and  fought  with  desperation  to  win  its  way  to  the 
top  of  the  crest.  Fifty  yards  or  more  above  the  second  line  of  rifle-pits 
is  a  small  clump  of  willows,  hardly  deserving  the  name  of  trees.  They 
stand  in  a  corn-field,  and  from  the  banks  of  the  bayou  below  presented 
the  appearance  of  a  green  hillock.  To  this  copse  many  of  the  rebels  fled 
when  they  were  driven  from  the  rifle-pits,  and  they  were  promptly  pur 
sued  by  General  Blair's  men.  The  Thirteenth  met  and  engaged  the 
rebels  hand  to  hand,  and  in  the  encounter  bayonets  were  repeatedly 
crossed.  It  gained  the  place,  driving  out  the  enemy ;  but  as  soon  as 
our  men  occupied  it  the  fire  of  a  field-battery  was  turned  upon  them  and 
the  place  became  too  hot  to  be  held. 

The  road  from  Mrs.  Lake's  plantation  to  the  top  of  the  high  ground 
and  thence  to  Vicksburg,  runs  at  an  angle  along  the  side  of  the  hill,  so 
as  to  obtain  a  slope  easy  of  ascent.  The  lower  side  of  this  road  was  pro 
vided  with  a  breastwork,  so  that  a  light  battery  could  be  taken  any 
where  along  the  road  and  .fired  over  the  embankment.  From  the 
nearest  point  of  this  embankment  a  battery  opened  on  the  Thirteenth 
Illinois,  and  was  aided  by  a  heavy  battery  on  the  hill.  Several  men 
were  killed  by  the  shell  and  grape  that  swept  the  copse. 

The  other  regiments  of  the  brigade  came  to  the  support  of  the  Thir 
teenth,  the  Twenty -ninth  Missouri,  Colonel  Cavender,  being  in  111'^ 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  167 

advance.  Meantime  the  rebels  formed  a  large  force  of  infantry  to  briog 
against  them,  and  when  the  Twenty-ninth  reached  the  copse  the  rebels 
were  already  engaging  the  Union  troops.  The  color-bearer  of  the 
Twelfth  had  been  shot  down,  and  some  one  picked  up  the  standard  and 
planted  it  in  front  of  the  copse.  The  force  of  the  rebels  was  too  great 
for  our  men  to  stand  agninst  them,  and  they  slowly  fell  back,  fighting 
step  by  step  toward  the  rifle-pits,  and  taking  their  colors  with  them. 

In  this  charge  upon  the  hill  the  regiments  lost  severely.  In  General 
Blair's  Brigade  there  were  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-five  men  en 
gaged  in  this  assault,  and  of  this  number  six  hundred  and  forty-two  were 
killed,  wrounded,  and  captured.* 

Under  a  flag  of  truce  the  dead  were  buried  and  the 
wounded  removed,  after  which  General  Sherman  gave  the 
order  for  his  troops  to  re-embark. 

The  arrival  of  General  McClernand  at  the  scene  of  action 
next  caused  a  change  in  the  command,  as  he  ranked  Gen 
eral  Sherman  by  over  one  month  in  the  date  of  his  com 
mission  ;  and  an  order  was  at  once  given  by  the  former  to 
withdraw  from  the  Yazoo  River,  where  the  vessels  were 
stationed,  and  return  to  the  Mississippi  River.  General 
McClernand,  on  assuming  the  command,  ordered  the  title 
of  the  army  to  be  changed,  and  General  Sherman  an 
nounced  the  fact  in  the  following  order : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  RIGHT  WING  ARMY  OF  TENNESSEE, 
STEAMER  FOREST  QUEEX,  MILLIKEN'S  BEND,  January  4,  18G3. 
[General  Orders,  No.  5.] 

Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  General  Orders,  No.  1,  made  this  day  by 
General  McClernand,  the  title  of  our  army  ceases  to  exist,  and  consti 
tutes  in  the  future  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  composed  of  two 
"army  corps,"  one  to  be  commanded  by  General  G.  W.  Morgan,  and  the 
other  by  myself.  In  relinquishing  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  and  restricting  my  authority  to  my  own  corps,  I  desire  to 
express  to  all  commanders,  to  soldiers  and  officers  recently  operating 
before  Vicksburg,  my  hearty  thanks  for  their  zeal,  alacrity,  and  courage 
manifested  by  them  on  all  occasions.  We  failed  in  accomplishing  one 

*  Correspondence  of  New  York  Herald,  January,  1863. 


168  GENERAL   GRANT 

purpose  of  our  movement,  the  capture  of  Vicksburg ;  but  we  were 
part  of  a  whole.  Ours  was  but  part  of  a  combined  movement,  in  ivhich 
others  were  to  assist.  We  were  on  time;  unforeseen  contingencies  must  have 
delayed  the  others.  "We  have  destroyed  the  Shreveport  road,  we  have 
attacked  the  defences  of  Vicksburg,  and  pushed  the  attack  as  far  as 
prudence  would  justify ;  and  having  found  it  too  strong  for  our  single 
column,  we  have  drawn  off  in  good  order  and  good  spirits,  ready  for  any 
new  move.  A  new  commander  is  now  here  to  lead  you.  He  is  chosen  by 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  who  is  charged  by  the  Constitution 
to  maintain  and  defend  it,  and  he  has  the  undoubted  right  to  select  his 
own  agents.  /  know  that  all  good  officers  and  soldiers  will  give  him  the 
same  hearty  support  and  cheerful  obedience  they  have  hitherto  given  me. 
There  are  honors  enough  in  reserve  for  all,  and  work  enough  too.  Let 
each  do  his  appropriate  part,  and  our  nation  must  in  the  end  emerge 
from  this  dire  conflict  purified  and  ennobled  by  the  fires  which  now  test 
its  strength  and  purity.  All  officers  of  the  general  staff  now  attached 
to  my  person  will  hereafter  report  in  person  and  by  letter  to  Major 
General  McClernand,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  on  board 
the  steamer  Tigress,  at  our  rendezvous  at  G-aines's  Landing  and  at  Mont 
gomery  Point. 

By  order  of  Major-General  W.  T.  SHERMAN. 

J.  H.  HAMMOND,  A.  A.-G. 

For  a  short  time  this  part  of  the  army  operated  without 
being  under  the  direct  command  of  General  Grant,  and 
was,  therefore,  taken  away  from  aiding  in  the  grand  object 
of  the  campaign — the  reduction  of  Vicksburg.  As  such  a 
diversion  of  General  Grant's  troops  would  necessarily  lead 
to  reduction  of  one-half  of  the  force  under  his  command, 
and  perhaps  a  complete  failure  of  the  whole  enterprise,  for 
which  he  had  so  long  labored,  an  application  was  made  to 
the  President  to  change  the  programme,  which  was  done 
accordingly,  and  the  two  army  corps — the  13th  and  15th 
— again  united  to  his  forces,  and  ordered  to  report  to 
him. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  composed 
of  those  two  corps,  was  taken  up  the  Arkansas  and  White 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  169 

Rivers  to  operate  against  Fort  Hindman,  a  rebel  work 
commanding  the  former  stream. 

The  following  dispatches  will  explain  the  result  of  the 

movement : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMY  OP  THE  MISSISSIPPI,  ) 
POST  OF  ARKANSAS,  January  11,  1863.      j 
Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  Commanding  Department  of  the  Tennessee: 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  forces  under  my  command  attacked 
the  Post  of  Arkansas  to-day,  at  one  o'clock,  having  stormed  the  enemy's 
work.  We  took  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  variously  estimated  at 
from  seven  thousand  to  ten  thousand,  together  with  all  his  stores,  ani 
mals,  and  munitions  of  war. 

Rear- Admiral  David  D.  Porter,  commanding  the  Mississippi  Squadron, 
effectively  and  brilliantly  co-operated,  accomplishing  this  complete  success. 
JOHN  A.  McCLERNAND,  Major- General  Commanding. 

UNITED  STATES  MISSISSIPPI  SQUADRON,  ) 
ARKANSAS  POST,  January  11,  1863.     \ 
Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  Navy  : — 

SIR — The  gunboats  Louiaville,  De  Kalb,  Cincinnati,  and  Lexington, 
attacked  the  heavy  fort  at  the  Post,  on  the  Arkansas,  last  night,  and 
silenced  the  batteries,  killing  twenty  of  the  enemy. 

The  gunboats  attacked  again  this  morning,  and  dismounted  every  gun, 
eleven  in  all. 

Colonel  Dunnington,  late  of  the  United  States  Navy,  commandant  of 
the  fort,  requested  to  surrender  to  the  Navy.  I  received  his  sword. 

The  army  co-operated  on  the  land  side.  The  forts  were  completely 
silenced,  and  the  guns,  eleven  in  number,  were  all  dismounted  in  three 
hours. 

The  action  was  at  close  quarters  on  the  part  of  the  three  iron-clads 
and  the  firing  splendid. 

The  list  of  killed  and  wounded  is  small.  The  Louisville  lost  twelve, 
De  Kalb  seventeen,  Cincinnati  none,  Lexington  none,  and  Rattler  two. 

The  vessels,  although  much  cut  up,  were  ready  for  action  in  half  an 
hour  after  the  battle. 

The  light  draught  Rattler,  Lieutenant-Commander  Wilson  Smith,  and 
the  other  light  draughts,  joined  in  the  action  when  it  became  general,  as 
did  the  Black  Hawk,  Lieutenant- Commander  R.  B.  Breese,  with  her  rifle- 
guns.  Particulars  will  be  given  hereafter. 

Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  D.  PORTER,  Acting  Rear- Admiral. 
8 


170  GENERAL   GRANT 


:\ 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

DISCIPLINE. GUERILLAS. 

DURING  the  investigation  that  followed  the  surrender  of 
Holly  Springs,  it  was  discovered  that  political  agencies 
had  been  brought  to  bear,  to  induce  certain  regiments  to 
throw  down  their  arms  and  refuse  to  fight,  and  even  to 
surrender  to  the  enemy.  General  Grant,  in  order  to  check 
an  evil  that  would  soon  prove  disastrous,  if  allowed  to  go 
unpunished,  issued  the  following  special  order  concerning 
one  of  the  regiments  so  disaffected. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  THIRTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE, 
HOLLY  SPRINGS,  Miss.,  December  31, 1862. 
[Special  Orders,  No.  58.] 

It  having  been  alleged  that  the  109th  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry 
Volunteers  has  shown  indications  of  disloyalty,  and  many  members  of 
the  regiment  having  voluntarily  hunted  up  citizens  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  their  camp  to  surrender  and  obtain  parole  from,  is  hereby  placed 
in  arrest. 

The  regiment  will  be  disarmed  by  the  commander  of  the  brigade  to 
•which  the  regiment  is  temporarily  attached,  and  the  arms  and  ammuni 
tion  of  the  regiment  turned  over  to  the  Ordnance  Officer,  Lieutenant 
Carter,  to  be  disposed  of  as  may  hereafter  be  ordered. 

Officers  and  men  will  be  confined  within  camp  limits  until  other 
wise  ordered. 

The  conduct  of  Company  K,  of  said  regiment,  being  in  honorable 
contrast  to  the  balance  of  the  regiment,  is  exempt  from  the  effect  of  the 
above  order,  and  will  be  placed  on  duty  with  the  brigade  to  which  said 
regiment  is  attached. 

By  command  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-  G. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  171 

The  condition  of  this  regiment  was  made  the  matter  for 
a  special  court  of  inquiry,  which  was  convened  under  an 
order  from  General  Grant,  bearing  date  January  2d,  1863. 
The  case  was  carefully  investigated,  and  exonerated  the 
regiment  as  a  body.  The  result  of  the  investigation  was 
publicly  set  forth  by  General  Grant,  in  general  orders,  and 
read  at  the  head  of  each  regiment. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  TENNESSEE,  ) 
YOUNG'S  POINT,  LA.,  February  1,  1863.      j 
[General  Orders,  No.  12.] 

The  proceedings  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  convened  at  Holly  Springs, 
Miss.,  by  Special  Orders,  N"o.  2,  of  date  of  January  2d,  1863,  from  these 
head-quarters,  and  of  which  Lieutenant- Colonel  Dewitt  C.  Loudon,  of 
the  7th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  was  president,  to  inquire  into  and  in 
vestigate  the  allegations  and  charges  of  disloyalty  against  the  109th 
Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  exonerate  said  regiment,  as  a  regiment, 
from  all  suspicion  of  disloyalty,  satisfactorily  vindicate  its  innocence,  and 
place  it  where  the  commanding-general  hoped  to  find  it,  among  the  pure 
and  patriotic  in  their  country's  defence ;  that  whatever  cause  for  suspicion  or 
charges  of  disloyalty  there  was  arose  from  the  conduct  and  declarations  of 
the  following  named  officers,  who  are  hereby  dismissed  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  with  forfeiture  of  pay  and  allowances,  to  take  effect  from  this 
date,  for  the  offences  of  which  they  are  severally  shown  to  be  guilty. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Elijah  Willard,  for  disobedience  of  orders,  and 
deserting  his  command  in  the  face  of  an  enemy,  that  he  might  be  taken 
prisoner. 

Captain  John  M.  Richie,  for  disobedience  of  orders,  encouraging  his 
men  to  desert,  and  discouraging  his  men  from  fighting  in  the  face  of  the 
enemy. 

Captain  Thomas  Boswell,  for  encouraging  his  men  to  desert,  that  they 
might  be  captured  and  paroled,  and  advising  them  to  apply  for  dis 
charges  for  slight  causes ;  also,  for  trying  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of 
the  officers  and  men  of  his  regiment  that  they  were  embraced  in  the  sur 
render  of  Holly  Springs  by  Colonel  Murphy,  on  the  20th  day  of  Decem 
ber,  1862,  well  knowing  the  same  to  be  false. 

Captain  John  Mclntosh,  for  declaring  in  the  hearing  of  his  men,  and 
in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  that  he  would  not  fight  if  attacked,  near 
Holly  Springs,  on  the  20th  December,  1862. 


172  GENERAL   GRANT 

Captain  Penninger,  of  Company  G-,  for  proposing  a  plan  by  which  the 
regiment  could  be  surrendered  to  the  enemy,  and  attempting  to  induce 
others  of  the  regiment  to  aid  in  carrying  it  into  execution  during  the 
raid  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  on  Holly  Springs,  on  the  20th  day  of 
December,  1862. 

Sscond -Lieutenant  John  Stokes,  for  straggling  from  his  command,  and 
procuring  for  himself  and  a  number  of  his  men  fraudulent  paroles  from 
a  rebel  citizen. 

Second- Lieutenant  Daniel  Kimmel,  for  advising  the  colonel  of  his 
regiment,  if  attacked  by  the  enemy,  to  surrender,  and  on  feigned  sick 
ness  procuring  a  surgeon's  certificate,  to  go  to  the  hospital,  at  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  by  reason  of  which  he  was  captured  and  then  paroled  by 
the  enemy  during  the  raid  on  that  place. 

First-Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  James  Evans,  for  inciting  dissatisfaction 
among  the  men  of  his  regiment,  and  speaking  in  an  improper  manner  of 
the  war  and  President,  in  violation  of  the  5th  Article  of  "War. 

Commissary-Sergeant  Joshua  Wisenheimer  is  reduced  to  the  ranks 
for  declaring  that  he  would  never  fire  a  gun  upon  the  enemy,  and  on 
hearing  a  camp  rumor  that  Major-General  Burnside  was  defeated  with 
a  loss  of  twenty -thousand  men,  wished  that  it  was  so. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GBANT. 

JOHN  A.  "RAWLINS,  A.  A.-  G. 

Cavalry  operations  were  continually  taking  place  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Union  posts,  and  on  January  8th,  1863,  a 
descent  was  made  on  a  camp  near  Ripley,  Tennessee,  kill 
ing  and  wounding  several  rebel  soldiers,  and  capturing 
forty-six,  besides  horses,  arms,  camp  equipage,  etc.  The 
remainder  of  the  force  was  dispersed.  The  commander  at 
Memphis  gave  notice  that,  for  all  guerilla  raids  upon 
Union  citizens  and  communications  with  the  city,  the  resi 
dent  secessionists  should  be  punished  in  the  forfeiture  of 
their  property  and  expulsion  beyond  the  extreme  limits  of 
the  Union  army  lines. 

General  Grant's  immediate  army,  except  the  special 
posts  held  at  Corinth  and  elsewhere,  was  also  withdrawn 
from  Northern  Mississippi,  after  the  diversion  of  the  forces 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  173 

acting  along  the  Mississippi  River,  and  the  head-quarters  of 
the  Department  were  located  at  Memphis.  From  this  city- 
General  Grant  announced  the  victory  at  Arkansas  Post. 
After  the  withdrawal  of  the  army,  the  rebel  guerilla 
forces  began  to  make  raids  upon  all  towns  recently  held  by 
the  Union  troops,  and  any  person  or  persons  that  had  mani 
fested  to  Grant's  army  any  evidence  of  returning  loyalty, 
were  summarily  punished,  either  in  person  or  property. 

On  the  23d  of  January,  the  Army  of  Mississippi,  having 
destroyed  all  offensive  and  defensive  works  at  Arkansas 
Post,  returned  to  Memphis  and  reported  to  General 
Grant. 

General  Grant  was  also  determined  that  the  President's 
Proclamation  of  Emancipation  should  be  carried  out  in  his 
department,  and  issued  an  order,  relative  to  the  negro 
regiments,  of  which  document  the  following  is  an  ex 
tract  : — 

MILLIKEN'S  BEND,  LA. 
[General  Orders,  No.  25.] 

I.  Corps,  Division,  and  Post  Commanders  will  afford  all  facilities  for 
the  completion  of  the  negro  regiments  now  organizing  in  this  Depart 
ment.  Commissaries  will  issue  supplies,  and  Quartermasters  will  furnish 
stores  on  the  same  requisitions  and  returns  as  are  required  from  other 
troops. 

It  is  expected  that  all  commanders  will  especially  exert  themselves  in  car 
rying  out  the  policy  of  the  administration,  not  only  in  organizing  colorwi 
regiments,  and  rendering  them  efficient;  but  also  in  removing  prejudice 
against  tJiem.  ***** 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 


174  GENERAL  GRANT 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CHANGE    OF   BASE. WILLIAMS's    CANAL. 

ON  the  29th  of  January,  1863,  General  Grant  landed  a 
portion  of  his  army  at  Young's  Point,  Louisiana,  and  an 
other  portion  at  Milliken's  Bend*.  He  shortly  followed 
these  forces,  and  established  his  head-quarters  at  the  former 
place,  whence  he  could  have  good  control  of  all  the  opera 
tions  necessary  to  the  reduction  of  the  rebel  stronghold. 
General  Grant  next  thoroughly  inspected  the  rebel  works, 
and  became  convinced  that  it  was  impossible  to  take  them 
from  the  water  front.  He  then  held  a  consultation  with 
his  generals  as  to  the  best  plan  to  be  adopted  to  turn  the 
rebel  position,  and  all  agreed  that  the  only  method  that 
promised  success  was  to  flank  the  works  on  the  south 
side. 

The  most  important  object  of  consideration  was  the 
means  to  be  adopted  to  transport  his  forces  to  the  south 
side  of  the  fortified  city.  But  in  this  lay  the  great  dif 
ficulty.  The  river  was  completely  blockaded  above  by 
the  works  on  the  Walnut  Hills  and  other  elevations,  and 
no  advance  could  be  made  from  New  Orleans  in  conse 
quence  of  the  fortification  of  Port  Hudson.  General 
Grant,  therefore,  turned  his  attention  to  the  reopening  of 
the  canal  first  cut  by  General  Williams,  opposite  Vicks- 
burg,  across  the  Peninsula  on  the  Louisiana  side  of  the 
river.  If  this  canal  had  been  made  successful,  trans 
ports  and  gunboats  could  have  been  taken  through  it 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  175 

to  the  south  side  of  the  city,  and  the  troops  and  supplies 
moved  to  a  new  base  of  operations. 

The  work,  however,  was  of  such  a  herculean  nature, 
and  was  being  continually  interrupted  by  the  heavy  rains 
and  the  rapid  rise  of  the  river,  that  the  number  of  men  re 
quired  to  keep  the  water  out  of  the  camps  and  cuttings 
was  much  larger  than  those  engaged  on  the  canal,  and  more 
than  could  be  conveniently  detailed  for  the  purpose. 

It  now  became  necessary  that  the  utmost  secrecy  should 
be  used  concerning  every  thing  that  was  being  done  or 
about  to  be  done  in  General  Grant's  army,  and  the  follow 
ing  order  was  issued  to  prevent  any  one  from  being  ad 
mitted  within  the  lines  who  did  not  properly  belong  to 
the  army,  and  to  prohibit  those  who%  were  inside  from  going 
beyond  the  limits : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
YOUNG'S  POINT,  LA.,  Feb.  12, 1863.  \ 

[Special  Field  Orders,  No.  2.] 

I.  The  nature  of  the  service  the  army  is  now  called  upon  to  perform, 
making  it  impracticable  to  transport  or  provide  for  persons  unemployed 
by  government,  the  enticing  of  negroes  to  leave  their  homes  to  come 
within  the  lines  of  the  army  is  positively  forbidden.     They  should  be 
permitted  to  remain  at  their  homes,  in  pursuance  of  the  recommendation 
of  the  President,  "  in  all  cases  where  allowed  to  labor  faithfully  for  rea 
sonable  wages."     Those  at  present  within  the  lines  will  not  be  turned  out; 
but  in  future,  in  the  field,  no  persons,  white  or  black,  who  are  not  duly  au 
thorized  to  pass  the  lines  of  sentinels,  will  be  permitted  to  enter  or  leave 
camp. 

II.  Whenever  the  services  of  negroes  are  required,  details  will  be 
made  by  army  corpse  ommanders  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  them,  and 
they  will  be    registered,    provided  for,    and  employed  in  accordance 
with  law  and  existing  orders. 

III.  The  habit  too  prevalent  of  arresting  citizens  beyond  the  lines 
of  the  army,   and  bringing  them  into  camp  without  charges,    is  pre 
judicial  to  the  service,   and  must  not  be  continued.     "When  citizens  are 
arrested  hereafter  without  charges  being  preferred  warranting  the  arrest, 
the  citizen  will  ba  turned  outside  the  lines,  and  the  officer  or  soldier 


1     6  GENERAL   GKAXT 

causing  the  arrest  will  be  confined,  and  otherwise  punished  at  the  dis 
cretion  of  a  court-martial. 

IV.  No  flag  of  truce  will  hereafter  be  allowed  to  pass  our  outposts. 
Any  message  sent  under  it  will  be  received  by  an  officer  and  receipted 
for,  and  the  flag  directed  to  return  immediately.     All  answers  to  such 
messages  will  be  sent  under  our  own  flag  of  truce. 

V.  Attention  of  army  corps  commanders  is  particularly  called  to  the 
41st,  42d,  4Gth,  and  50th  Articles  of  War,  which  will  b'e  rigidly  en 
forced. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

The  four  Articles  of  War  referred  to  in  the  foregoing 
order  are  as  follows  : — 

ART.  41. — All  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers,  who  shall  be 
found  one  mile  from  the  camp,  without  leave  in  writing,  from  their  com 
manding  officer,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  shall  be  inflicted  upon 
them  by  the  sentence  of  a  court-martial. 

ART.  42. — No  officer  or  soldier  shall  be  out  of  his  quarters,  garrison, 
or  camp,  without  leave  from  his  superior  officer,  upon  penalty  of  being 
punished  according  to  the  nature  of  his  offence,  by  the  sentence  of  a 
court-martial. 

ART.  46. — Any  sentinel  who  shall  be  found  sleeping  upon  his  post,  or 
shall  leave  it  before  he  shall  be  regularly  relieved,  shall  suffer  death,  or 
such  other  punishment  as  shall  be  inflicted  by  the  sentence  of  a  court- 
martial. 

ART.  50. — Any  officer  or  soldier  who  shall,  without  urgent  necessity, 
or  without  the  leave  of  his  superior  officer,  quit  his  guard,  platoon,  or 
division,  shall  be  punished,  according  to  the  nature  of  his  offence,  by  the 
sentence  of  a  court-martial. 

It  will  be  seen  at  once  that  something  of  more  than 
ordinary  importance  was  being  transacted,  to  require  the 
issuance  of  such  stringent  orders  as  the  foregoing. 

The  banks  of  the  Mississippi  River  at  this  time  were 
lined  with  guerilla  parties,  who  would  occasionally  fire 
upon  the  supply  boats  and  transports  with  light  field- 
pieces,  and  when  attacked  would  retreat  into  the  jungles 
and  cane-brakes.  This  partisan  warfare  proved  to  be  a 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  177 

great  annoyance,  and  sometimes  destructive,  but  did  not 
seriously  interfere  with  General  Grant  in  the  prosecution 
of  his  work. 

During  the  early  part  of  February,  a  reconnoissance 
was  made  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Providence,  and  a 
skirmish  took  place  at  a  point  about  five  miles  distant  from 
the  lake,  resulting  in  the  defeat  of  the  rebels.  Another 
skirmish  took  place  at  Old  River,  Louisiana,  on  the  10th 
of  February,  with  a  similar  result.  During  the  reconnois 
sance,  Captain  Prime,  Chief  of  Engineers  on  General 
Grant's  staff,  ascertained  certain  facts  that  led  him  to  be 
lieve  that  a  water  route  could  be  made  through  the  bayous 
which  run  from  near  Milliken's  Bend,  north  of  Vicksburg, 
and  from  New  Carthage,  south  of  that  city,  into  the  Ten- 
sas  river. 

Meanwhile,  the  work  on  the  Williams  Canal  continued 
to  be  prosecuted  with  great  vigor,  and  a  large  number  of 
men  were  employed  upon  it.     On  the  8th  of  March  the 
overflow  of  the  river  broke  in  the  dam  at  the  end  of  the 
,  canal,  and  flooded  the  whole  of  the  low  lands,  before  the 
cutting  could  be  completed.     As  the  season  was  too  far 
advanced  to  renew  experiments  on  this  enterprise,  it  had 
to  be  abandoned. 
8* 


178  GENEKAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE    QUEEN    OF   THE   WEST   AND   INDIANOLA.* 

ACTING  E ear-Admiral  Porter's  gunboat  fleet  ably  co 
operated  with  General  Grant  in  his  operations  before 
Vicksburg,  and,  early  in  February,  the  ram  Queen  of  the 
West,  under  command  of  Colonel  Ellet,  ran  by  the  batteries 
at  Yicksburg,  and  pushed  down  the  Mississippi  and  up  the 
Red  Rivers  on  a  reconnoisance.  During  the  first  trip  Col 
onel  Ellet  captured  three  of  the  enemy's  transports,  and 
then  returned  to  the  lower  end  of  the  Williams  Canal.  On 
the  10th  of  February  Colonel  Ellet  started  on  a  second  ex 
pedition  in  the  same  direction,  and  on  the  12th  arrived  at 
the  junction  of  the  Red  and  Atchafalaya  Rivers.  The  lat 
ter  stream  runs  from  the  Red  River  to  the  Gulf  through  a 
curious  swampy  tract  of  country  in  Louisiana.  The  Queen, 
having  left  her  tenders  behind  in  a  secure  position,  started 
down  the  Atchafalaya,  and  after  passing  along  about  six 

*  This  chapter  is  written  to  point  out  one  of  the  great  difficulties  un 
der  which  General  Grant  labored.  The  Red  River  had  been  used  by 
the  rebels  as  a  highway  for  the  transportation  of  stores  and  supplies 
for  the  rebel  garrisons  at  Yicksburg,  Grand  Gulf,  Natchez,  and  Port 
Hudson,  and  until  that  source  of  supply  was  cut  off,  it  would  have  been 
impossible  to  reduce  the  place  by  siege.  To  reach  the  mouth  of  the  Red 
River  it  became  necessary  to  run  the  batteries,  and  the  experiment  was 
first  made  by  the  Queen  of  the  "West,  and  next  by  the  Indianola.  These 
trials  of  the  strength  of  the  rebel  batteries  may  also  be  looked  upon  as 
special  reconnoissances  for  future  use,  as  will  be  developed  in  the  course 
of  the  narrative. 


AND     HIS     CAMPAIGNS.  179 

miles,  succeeded  in  destroying  an  army  wagon  train,  and  a 
quantity  of  stores,  ammunition,  etc.,  belonging  to  the  en. 
emy. 

On  February  14th,  Colonel  Ellet  captured  a  rebel  steam 
transport  on  the  Red  River,  at  a  point  about  fifteen  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  the  Black  River.  At  the  time  of  her 
capture  this  rebel  vessel  had  on  board  two  lieutenants  and 
fourteen  privates  of  the  rebel  army,  and  was  laden  with 
four  thousand  five  hundred  bushels  of  corn.  The  prisoners 
were  put  on  shore,  and  the  vessels  sent  under  guard  to  a 
'secure  position. 

Colonel  Ellet  then  went  about  thirty  miles  further  up 
the  Red  River,  with  the  intention  of  capturing  or  destroy 
ing  three  other  steamers  which  were  lying  under  the  pro 
tection  of  a  rebel  battery.  The  rebels  opened  upon  the 
Queen  with  four  pieces  of  artillery,  and  the  pilot  having 
purposely  run  the  vessel  aground,  she  was  brought  within 
easy  range,  and  so  crippled  by  the  shots  from  the  rebels 
that  she  had  to  be  abandoned,  Colonel  Ellet  and  others  es 
caping  on  bales  of  cotton,  while  the  remainder  of  those  on 
board  were  captured  by  the  rebels.* 

On  the  night  of  the  13th,  the  U.  S.  gunboat  Indianola 
successfully  ran  by  the  batteries  of  Yicksburg,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  supporting  the  Queen  of  the  West  in  her  move 
ments  ;  but,  after  the  former  had  passed  Natchez,  the 
captain  was  informed  of  the  capture  of  the  latter  vessel  by 
those  who  had  escaped.  The  Indianola,  under  the  guidance 
of  Colonel  Ellet,  who  had  located  his  head-quarters  on  the 
captured  vessel  Era,  then  returned  towards  the  Red  River, 
with  the  intention  of  destroying  the  battery  and  retaking 
the  Queen  of  the  West. 

*  Including  Mr.  Finlay  Anderson,  a  correspondent  of  the  New  York 
Herald. 


180  GENERAL   GRANT 

On  arriving  at  the  mouth  of  the  Red  River,  it  was  ascer 
tained  that  the  rebels  had  several  armed  vessels  up  that 
stream,  and,  under  the  circumstances,  it  was  deemed  advis 
able  not  to  proceed  farther,  but  to  return  at  once  to  Vicks- 
burg.  While  ascending  the  river,  Colonel  Ellet's  vessel  was 
fired  upon  several  times. 

The  Indianola  was  then  detailed  to  blockade  the  mouth 
of  the  Red  River,  barges  of  coal  having  been  floated  by 
the  batteries,  to  keep  her  well  supplied  with  fuel. 

At  about  half-past  nine  p.  M.  on  February  24th,  four 
armed  rebel  vessels  approached  the  Indianola  under  the 
cover  of  darkness.  The  captured  Queen  of  the  West,  which 
the  rebels  had  armed  and  manned,  and  another  ram,  made 
the  first  attack  upon  the  Indianola,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
engagement  became  general  at  close  quarters.  The  other 
two  rebel  vessels  were  merely  cotton  clad,  and  not  being 
heavily  armed,  could  do  but  little  damage  to  the  Union 
gunboat.  The  rebel  rams  plunged  with  their  prows  at  the 
Indianola,  with  great  violence,  but  it  was  not  until  the  sixth 
blow  was  administered  that  any  serious  damage  was  in 
flicted. 

The  engagement  lasted  one  hour  and  twenty-seven  min 
utes,  after  which  the  Indianola  became  so  damaged  that 
the  captain  ran  her  ashore,  and  surrendered  her  to  the  reb 
els,  first  destroying  all  documents  of  value  that  had  been 
on  board.  But,  before  the  rebels  could  take  possession  of 
their  prize,  her  stern  had  sunk  under  water,  and  her  guns 
rendered  useless,  the  lighter  ones  having  beon  thrown  over 
board. 

The  Indianola  was  finally  destroyed  by  the  rebels  about 
the  beginning  of  March,  1863.  The  following  extract  from 
the  Vicksburg  Whig,  of  March  5th,  1863,  explains  the  reason 
of  her  destruction : 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  181 

DESTRUCTION  OP  THE  INDIANOLA. 

"  We  stated  a  day  or  two  since  that  we  would  not  enlighten  our  read 
ers  in  regard  to  a  matter  which  was  puzzling  them  very  much.  We 
alluded  to  the  loss  of  the  gunboat  Indianola,  recently  captured  from  the 
enemy.  We  were  loath  to  acknowledge  she  had  been  destroyed,  but 
such  is  the  case.  The  Yankee  barge  sent  down  the  river  last  week  was 
reported  to  be  an  iron-clad  gunboat.  The  authorities,  thinking  that  this 
monster  would  retake  the  Indianola,  immediately  issued  an  order  to  blow 
her  up.  The  order  was  sent  down  by  a  courier  to  the  officer  in  charge 
of  the  vessel.  A  few  hours  afterwards  another  order  was  sent  down 
countermanding  the  first,  it  being  ascertained  that  the  monstrous  craft 
was  only  a  coal  boat ;  but  before  it  reached  the  Indianola  she  had  been 
blown  to  atoms — not  even  a  gun  was  saved.  Who  is  to  blame  for  this 
folly — this  precipitancy?" 

About  this  time  the  commander  at  Memphis  thought  it 
necessary  to  suppress  the  circulation  of  an  opposition  news 
paper,  within  the  limits  of  the  army  lines ;  but  General 
Grant,  respecting  the  principle  laid  down  with  regard  to 
the  liberty  of  the  press,  at  once  rescinded  the  order,  as  soon 
as  he  had  been  made  aware  of  the  fact. 


182  GENERAL    GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE  LAKE  PROVIDENCE  CANAL. 

THE  success  of  a  bayou  canal  in  Missouri,  near  the  vi 
cinity  of  Island  No.  10,  induced  the  engineers  on  General 
Grant's  staff  to  examine  into  the  probable  chances  of  suc 
cess  for  a  similar  canal,  from  the  bayous  above  Vicksburg 
to  the  bayous  below  the  city.  Captain  F.  E.  Prime  and 
Colonel  G.  G.  Pride  made  a  reconnoissance  along  a  portion 
of  the  route,  and  reported  the  practicability  of  the  plan. 
General  Grant  therefore  determined  to  try  the  project,  if 
for  no  other  purpose  than  to  engage  the  enemy's  attention 
while  he  matured  his  own  plans.  Having  more  troops  at 
Young's  Point  than  could,  at  that  moment,  be  there  em 
ployed  to  advantage,  and  knowing  that  Lake  Providence 
was  connected  by  Bayou  Baxter  with  Bayou  Macon,  a  nav 
igable  stream,  he  set  the  men  to  work  upon  the  canal  be 
tween  the  Mississippi  and  the  lake,  so  as  to  keep  them 
from  demoralizing  idleness,  and  to  divert  the  attention  of 
the  enemy. 

To  a  person  studying  the  map  it  would  seem  a  very  fea 
sible  project  to  connect  the  Mississippi  River  with  the  lake, 
especially  when  the  level  of  the  former  lay  somewhat  higher 
than  that  of  the  latter.  The  lake  is  situated  in  Carroll 
County,  La.,  about  one  mile  west  of  the  Mississippi  River, 
which  without  doubt  originally  flowed  through  its  bed,  but 
had  changed  its  course  during  one  of  the  many  freaks  of 
Nature  by  which  the  channel  of  that  great  stream  had  been 
turned  aside  from  its  primary  path.  The  length  of  the 
lake  is  about  six  miles,  and  it  is  fed  by  the  Bayou  Macon 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  183 

and  the  Bayou  Tensas.  One  point  of  the  lake,  which  is 
half-moon  shaped,  approaches  nearer  to  the  Mississippi 
River  than  the  other,  and  at  this  point  the  canal  was  cut. 
It  was  supposed  by  the  engineers  that  a  highway  could  be 
made  from  the  Mississippi,  seventy-five  miles  above  Vicks- 
burg,  through  Lake  Providence,  thence  by  the  bayous  into 
the  Tensas  River,  which  falls  into  the  Black  River  at  Trin 
ity,  La.  The  Black  River  pursues  its  course  and  falls  into 
the  Red  River,  by  three  channels,  at  a  point  about  thirty 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  latter,  which  opens  into  the 
Mississippi  River  at  the  northern  limit  of  Point  Coupee 
Parish,  and  at  about  fifty  miles  above  the  fortified  position 
of  Port  Hudson.  If  this  route  had  been  made  practicable, 
it  would  have  opened  a  water  communication  between  the 
positions  above  and  below  Yicksburg,  and  enabled  Gen 
eral  Grant  to  co-operate  with  General  Banks,  who  was 
preparing  to  invest  Port  Hudson.  Under  cover  of  this  en 
gineering  movement,  General  Grant  began  moving  his 
forces  below  the  line  of  the  city  of  Yicksburg,  and  occu 
pied  certain  points  a  short  distance  inland  from  the  Louisi 
ana  shore  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  work  of  opening  the  Lake  Providence  route  pro 
gressed  rapidly,  and  one  steamer  and  a  number  of  barges 
were  taken  through  the  canal ;  but,  about  the  middle  of 
April,  the  Mississippi  River  began  to  fall  with  unusual  ra 
pidity,  and  the  roads  becoming  passable  between  Milliken's 
Bend  and  New  Carthage,  the  proposed  water  route  was 
abandoned  as  unnecessary,  and,  with  the  low  stage  of  water, 
mpracticable. 

It  appears  from  General  Grant's  report  of  the  capitula 
tion  of  Vicksburg,  that  he  had  but  little  faith  in  the  suc 
cess  of  the  Lake  Providence  scheme ;  but  was  willing  to 
allow  the  experiment  to  be  tried,  as  it  employed  his  men 
and  covered  his  real  movements  from  the  enemy. 


184  GENEEAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXni. 

THE   TAZOO   PASS   EXPEDITION. 

DURING  February,  1863,  a  plan  was  proposed  to  open  a 
closed  up  route  of  water  travel  between  the  Mississippi 
River  and  the  Cold  water  and  Tallahatchie  Rivers,  through 
the  Yazoo  Pass.  This  pass  had  for  many  years  been  un- 
navigable,  stagnant,  dreary,  and  wild,  and  had  been  almost 
forgotten.  The  primary  object  of  this  expedition  was  to 
enable  a  few  troops  with  some  light  draft  gunboats  to 
reach  the  upper  part  of  the  Yazoo  River,  for  the  purpose 
of  destroying  the  enemy's  transports  ;  but  it  was  after 
wards  discovered  that,  when  the  snags  and  low  timber  had 
been  cut  away  from  that  part  of  the  water-course  which  had 
been  so  long  closed,  the  navigation  proved  to  be  much  bet 
ter  than  was  suspected.  It  was,  therefore,  deemed  not 
impossible  to  use  the  route  for  a  flank  movement  by  water 
upon  Haines's  Bluff,  which  commanded  the  Yazoo  River  a 
short  distance  above  the  mouth.  Had  this  plan  been  found 
practicable,  a  large  body  of  troops  would  have  been  sent 
around  by  this  route ;  but  for  want  of  proper  vessels  for 
transportation,  the  force  detailed  was  insufficient  to  clear  the 
way  throughout. 

On  the  24th  of  February,  1863,  the  fleet  entered  the 
pass,  after  tearing  down  that  part  of  the  levee  of  the  Mis 
sissippi  River  that  closed  up  the  entrance ;  and,  by  the  28th, 
after  a  series  of  dangers,  slow  travelling,  etc.,  the  vessels 
arrived  in  the  Coldwater  River.  Some  idea  of  the  nature 
of  the  work  to  be  accomplished  in  opening  up  this  route 


AKD    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  185 

may  be  gathered  from  the  following  extracts,  from  a  de 
scription  penned  by  one  of  the  parties  who  took  an  active 
part  in  the  expedition  : 

UNITED  STATES  GUNBOAT    MARMORA,  ) 
COLDWATER  RIVER,  Miss.,  Ftb.  28, 1863.  f 

The  Rubicon  is  passed.  Three  and  a  half  days  of  most  tedious,  vexa 
tious,  bothersome,  troublesome,  aud  damaging  steamboating  has  brought 
this  expedition  twenty  miles  on  its  way,  and  disclosed  to  its  view  the  end 
of  the  now  famous  Yazoo  Pass.  A  more  execrable  place  was  never  known. 
Should  one  propose  to  run  a  steamboat  to  the  moon  he  would  be  consid 
ered  equally  sane,  by  those  who  had  seen  the  Yazoo  Pass  before  this  ex 
pedition  forced  its  way  through  it,  as  the  person  who  proposed  this 
movement. 

I  would  like  to  describe  the  Yazoo  Pass.  I  would  like  to  compare  it  to 
something  that  would  be  intelligible.  But  I  know  of  nothing  in  heaven  or 
on  earth,  or  in  the  waters  under  the  earth,  that  will  compare  with  it.  Had 
the  immortal  bard  desired  a  subject  from  which  to  draw  a  picture  of  the  way 
that  leads  to  the  realms  of  darkness  and  despair,  he  had  only  to  picture  the 
Yazoo  Pass.  Let  me  try,  in  the  feeble  language  I  can  command,  to  de 
scribe  it.  Perhaps  the  reader  has  passed  through  the  Dismal  Swamp  of 
Virginia;  or,  if  not,  he  has  read  accounts  of  travellers  who  have  enjoyed 
that  privilege.  Then  he  has  heard  of  the  famous  jungles  of  India.  He 
has  seen  or  read  of  the  unbroken  silence  of  the  boundless  tall  forests  of  the 
John  Brown  tract  in  Western  New  York.  Conceive  the  ugliest  features  of 
these  three  varieties  of  territory,  and  he  will  be  able,  by  combining  them, 
to  form  a  tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  region  through  which  the  Yazoo 
Pass  runs.  Those  who  have  watched  the  course  of  a  snake  as  he  trails 
his  way  along  the  ground,  winding  this  way  and  that,  hither  and  yon 
der,  going  in  all  directions  at  the  same  time,  and  yet  maintaining  some 
thing  of  a  regular  course  in  the  average,  will,  by  exaggerating  the  picture 
in  their  own  minds,  understand  something  of  the  tortuous  course  of  the 
Yazoo  Pass.  I  have  passed  through  it  from  one  end  to  the  other,  and  I 
assert  candidly  that  there  is  not  throughout  its  entire  length  a  piece 
two  hundred  feet  long  of  perfectly  straight  river.  The  orders  under 
which  this  expedition  moved  required  that  boats  should  keep  three  hun 
dred  yards  apart ;  but  there  was  no  place  to  be  found  in  the  whole 
stream  where  they  could  see  one-third  of  this  distance  ahead  or  behind 
them.  Once,  indeed,  we  did  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  Rattler,  flagship. 
She  was  just  abreast  of  us,  and  about  one  hundred  yards  away,  going 


186  GENERAL    GRANT 

in  an  opposite  direction  to  us.  "We  fancied  we  were  close  on  to  her,  and, 
as  it  was  near  night,  concluded  to  tie  up,  so  as  to  let  her  get  away  from 
us.  The  next  morning  we  got  under  way  at  daylight,  and  just  as  the 
sun  was  at  the  meridian  we  passed  the  spot  where  we  had  seen  our  file 
leader  eighteen  hours  before. 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  of  the  efforts  put  forth  by  the  rebels 
to  obstruct  this  pass.  Their  labor  was  all  thrown  away.  Nature  had 
placed  greater  obstructions  in  the  way  than  any  an  enemy  could  place 
there,  no  matter  how  powerful  he  might  have  been  or  how  long  he  had 
been  employed.  Cypress  and  sycamore  trees  lined  the  banks  in  great 
profusion,  intermixed  with  gigantic  cotton-woods  bearing  the  wildest 
entanglement  of  wild  grape-vines.  The  stream  itself  is  never  to  exceed 
a  hundred  feet  in  breadth,  and  frequently  not  more  than  fifty  or  seven 
ty-five.  Over  this  the  timber  forms  a  most  perfect  arch,  frequently,  as 
good  fortune  would  have  it,  so  high  as  to  admit  the  easy  passage  of  the 
tali  smokestacks  beneath  it,  but  sometimes  grazing  their  tops,  and  again 
angrily  toppling  over  these  intruders.  But  Providence  evidently  did 
not  intend  this  pass  for  a  military  highway.  Providence  opposed  the 
movement,  not  so  much  by  this  high  arch  enclosing  the  river  and  shut 
ting  it  out  from  view,  as  by  the  long,  jagged  limbs  it  thrust  out  from 
the  trees  directly  across  the  channel,  and  the  numerous  crooked  and 
leaning  trees  that  formed  a  most  effective  blockade. 

It  may  be  possible,  from  what  I  have  written,  to  get  an  idea  of  the 
Tazoo  Pass.  A  short  account  of  the  trip  through  it  will  be  more  profit 
able  for  this  purpose.  The  total  length  of  the  pass  from  the  Mississippi 
to  the  Coldwater  River  is  twenty  miles.  From  the  Mississippi  to  the 
east  side  of  Moon  Lake,  where  the  pass  proper  commences,  is  called 
eight  miles,  leaving  the  distance  from  Moon  Lake  to  the  Coldwater 
twelve  miles.  "We  left  the  lake  on  Wednesday  morning,  the  25th  inst., 
and  reached  the  Coldwater  this  afternoon  just  after  dinner,  making  the 
trip  in  exactly  three  days  and  a  half  1  To  be  sure,  we  did  not  travel 
nights,  but  we  made,  usually,  about  twelve  hours  time  each  day.  This 
gives  the  rapid  progress  of  one  mile  in  three  and  a  half  hours.  Does 
the  progress  made  express  any  thing  of  the  character  of  the  route  ?  If 
it  does  not,  I  hardly  know  what  will.  In  the  upper  end  of  the  pass  the 
stream  is  confined,  and  runs  along  with  great  rapidity  through  its  nar 
row  channel,  the  rate  being  not  less  than  five  or  six  miles  per  hour. 
Lower  down  there  are  strips  of  bottom-land  along  the  sides  which  are 
now  overflown,  giving  greater  width,  and  consequently  less  rapidity  to 
the  current.  But  in  no  place  were  we  able  even  to  drift  with  the  cur- 


AXD   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  187 

rent.  That  would  inevitably  have  dashed  us  into  the  timber  and  have  torn 
our  boat  to  atoms.  From  the  time  we  entered  the  pass  until  we  emerged 
from  it,  we  could  only  keep  our  wheels  backing,  and  even  this  was  not 
enough.  A  small  boat  was  requisite  on  either  side,  by  which  lines  were 
passed  out  and  made  fast  to  the  trees,  to  check  our  headway  or  ease 
us  around  the  sharp  bends.  The  expedition  has  been  facetiously  called 
"the  stern-wheel  expedition,"  from  the  circumstance  of  there  being 
none  but  stern-wheel  boats  (which  are  narrower  than  side-wheel 
steamers)  engaged  in  it;  but  it  might  with  equal  propriety  be  called  "the 
back-water  expedition,"  or  "the  hold-back  expedition,"  because  of  our 
advancing  only  by  holding  back. 

But  with  all  our  care  and  labor,  it  has  been  impossible  to  save  our 
boats  from  much  damage.  Frequently  it  was  impossible  to  check  the 
headway  of  a  vessel  in  time  to  save  its  smokestacks,  and  away  would 
go  these  tall  iron  cylinders,  crashing  through  the  hurricane  deck,  and 
making  a  complete  wreck  of  the  cabin  and  light  upper  works.  Again  a 
huge  limb  would  come  crashing  and  smashing  along  the  side,  tearing  away 
stanchions  and  braces,  and  sometimes  even  the  light  bulkheads  around 
the  upper  works.  The  flagship  was  thus  visited,  and  Acting  Commander 
Smith's  cabin  turned  into  a  complete  wreck.  In  fact,  all  the  vessels  looked 
as  if  they  had  been  in  a  hard  fought  battle  and  had  been  badly  worsted, 
only  that  none  of  them  were  damaged  in  machinery  or  hull.  It  has  been  a 
most  exciting  trip ;  but  I  believe  or  hear  all  have  survived  it  save  one 
poor  old  nigger — a  contraband — belonging  to  this  vessel.  He  was  ly 
ing  in  his  hammock,  in  the  sick  bay,  being  on  the  sick  list,  when  a  huge 
limb,  broken  off  by  the  persistence  of  our  smokestacks,  came  down 
endwise  upon  the  deck,  and,  passing  through,  administered  the  death 
blow  to  poor  Cuffee. 

COLD  WATER  RIVER,  March  3,  1863. 

We  are  progressing  towards  our  destination,  though  slowly.  To-day 
we  have  made  about  six  miles  down  stream,  and  are  now  catching  our 
breath  after  this  rapid  locomotion,  preparatory  to  an  early  start  to 
morrow  morning.  The  Coldwater  River  is  but  a  slight  improvement  on 
the  Tazoo  Pass.  It  is  a  trifle  wider,  it  is  true — so  wide,  in  fact,  that 
the  branches  seldom  meet  above  it — but  in  other  respects  we  have 
gained  nothing,  so  far  as  ease  of  navigation  is  concerned.  Rather  we 
have  lost  as  much  as  we  have  gained,  since  the  increased  width  of  the 
stream  is  quite  counterbalanced  by  the  sluggishness  of  the  current. 
The  course  of  the  stream  is  nearly  as  tortuous  as  that  of  the  pass,  so 


188  GENERAL   GKANT 

that  we  cannot  yet  venture  to  steam  ahead,  and  as  floating  and  backing 
up  continues  to  be  the  order,  the  progress  made  is  provokingly  slow. 

Since  my  last  date  we  have  lain  quiet  at  the  mouth  of  the  pass,  waiting 
for  all  the  boats  to  come  up.  This  detained  us  until  this  morning,  when 
we  once  more  started  forward.* 

•The  rebels  had,  however,  gained  information  of  the  Union 
movement  through  Yazoo  Pass ;  but  at  first  scouted  the 
idea  of  its  success,  prophesying  the  destruction  of  every 
vessel  connected  with  the  expedition.  When,  however, 
they  ascertained  that  the  fleet  had  safely  arrived  in  the 
Cold  water  River,  they,  knowing  that  the  other  part  of  the 
stream  was  navigable,  at  once  began  diligently  closing  up 
the  lower  end  of  the  Tallahatchie  River,  into  which  the 
Cold  water  empties  itself.  This  was  accomplished  by  erect 
ing  a  fort  across  the  neck  of  land  caused  by  a  change  of 
course  of  the  stream  after  the  Yalabusha  had  formed  a 
junction  with  the  Tallahatchie.  These  united  waters  were 
named  the  Yazoo  River,  which,  after  flowing  through 
several  hundred  miles  of  country,  empties  itself  into  the 
Mississippi  River  a  little  above  Yicksburg. 

The  advance  of  the  expedition  under  General  Ross  pro 
ceeded  without  serious  interruption  through  the  Coldwater 
and  Tallahatchie  Rivers  until  it  reached  this  newly  erected 
fort,  which  was  designated  Fort  Pemberton — it  having 
been  constructed  by  some  of  the  forces  that  had  been  sent 
from  Vicksburg  for  that  purpose.  At  the  point  where  the 
fort  was  erected,  the  distance  from  the  Tallahatchie  shores 
above  the  defences,  to  the  Yazoo  shores  below  that  work, 
was  but  a  few  hundred  yards  by  land,  but  was  several 
miles  by  water.  The  fort,  having  been  built  across  the 
neck,  commanded  both  streams  for  a  long  distance.  The 
rebels  had  well  chosen  their  defensive  position,  as  the/ 
laud  about  the  fort  was  low,  and  at  the  time  of  the 

*  Correspondence  of  the  New  York  Herald,  March  14th,  1863. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  189 

expedition  was  entirely  overflowed.  General  Ross,  there 
fore,  in  attacking  this  work,  could  not  make  use  of  his  land 
forces  to  reduce  it,  and  had  to  depend  on  the  armed  vessels 
under  his  command.  After  an  engagement  of  several  hours, 
these  vessels  had  to  withdraw  without  silencing  the  bat 
tery. 

Finding  that  this  obstruction  prevented  the  water  route 
from  being  used  by  the  army,  General  Grant,  on  March 
23d,  sent  orders  for  the  withdrawal  of  the  forces. 

One  advantage,  however,  arose  from  the  movement.  It 
caused  a  diversion  of  a  portion  of  the  rebel  force  at  Vicks- 
burg,  and  engaged  the  attention  of  the  rebel  authorities1 
while  General  Grant  was  perfecting  his  own  plans. 


190  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE  STEELE'S  BAYOU  EXPEDITION. 

ADMIRAL  PORTER,  having  made  a  naval  reconnoissance  up 
Steele's  Bayou,  and  through  Black  Bayou  to  Duck  Creek, 
returned  to  General  Grant,  and  on  March  14th,  1862,  in 
formed  him  that  those  water-courses  were  navigable  for 
small  gunboats  and  light  draft  transports.  It  was  sup 
posed  that  by  following  this  route  Deer  Creek  could  be 
navigated  to  Rolling  Fork,  and  thence  by  the  Sunflower 
River  into  the  Yazoo.  Of  the  navigation  of  these  two  latter 
streams  there  was  no  doubt. 

As  the  forces  by  way  of  the  Coldwater  and  Tallahatchie 
Rivers  had  been  prevented  from  proceeding  further  in  conse 
quence  of  the  construction  of  Fort  Pemberton,  it  was  deem 
ed  necessary  to  ascertain  whether  this  new  route  could  be 
made  practicable.  General  Grant,  therefore,  accompanied 
Admiral  Porter  on  the  morning  of  March  15th  on  another 
reconnoissance.  The  vessel  in  which  the  two  commanding 
officers  had  temporarily  taken  up  their  head-quarters,  pro 
ceeded  along  Steele's  Bayou — several  iron-clads  taking  the 
lead  to  prevent  a  surprise — until  it  reached  the  Black 
Bayou.  General  Grant  then  returned  to  Young's  Point, 
for  the  purpose  of  sending  up  a  pioneer  corps  to  clear 
away  the  overhanging  trees,  which  appeared  to  be  the 
only  important  obstruction  to  the  successful  navigation 
of  the  route,  at  least  so  far  as  it  had  been  explored. 

Soon  after  General  Grant  had  reached  Young's  Point,  a 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  191 

message  was  received  from  Admiral  Porter,  who  had  pro 
ceeded  ou  the  reconnoissance,  requesting  the  co-operation 
of  a  good  military  force.  General  Grant  promptly  sent  to 
him  a  division  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  with  General 
Sherman  at  its  head.  The  number  of  steam  transports 
suitable  for  such  an  expedition  being  limited,  the  major 
part  of  the  military  force  was  sent  up  the  Mississippi  River 
to  Eagle  Bend,  a  point  where  the  river  runs  within  a  mile 
of  Steele's  Bayou. 

The  only  cause  of  the  failure  of  this  expedition  was  the 
want  of  knowledge  of  the  country  to  be  passed  through, 
and  this  ignorance  led  the  expedition  on  until  it  encoun 
tered  serious  difficulties,  which  could  not  be  removed  with 
out  great  delay.  This  gave  the  rebels  time  to  place  ob 
structions  in  the  way  of  further  progress,  and  the  movement 
had  to  be  abandoned  when  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of 
a  point,  which,  if  attained,  would  have  secured  complete 
success. 

The  following  is  an  interesting  account  of  the  expedition, 
from  an  eye  witness : 

U.  S.  TRANSPORT  SILVER  WAVE,  ) 
BLACK  BAYOU,  Miss.,  March  21.  j" 

On  the  16th  inst.,  late  in  the  afternoon,  General  Grant  ordered  Gene 
ral  Stuart  to  prepare  the  infantry  of  his  division  to  move  at  daylight 
next  morning.  Leaving  transportation,  horses,  tents,  and  every  thing 
except  ammunition,  arms,  and  rations,  the  division  embarked  and  pro 
ceeded  up  the  Mississippi  to  Eagle  Bend.  A  few  days  before  the  em 
barkation.  Admiral  Porter  and  General  Grant  had  made  a  personal 
reconnoissance  of  a  proposed  route  to  the  Yazoo  above  Hatnes's  Bluff, 
and  General  Sherman  was  ordered  by  General  Grant  to  take  charge  of 
the  opening  of  the  route.  General  Sherman,  with  the  pioneer  corps  of 
Stuart's  Division  and  the  Eighth  Missouri,  left  at  once  with  the  steamer 
Diligent.  In  the  evening  General  Grant  received  dispatches  from  Ad 
miral  Porter,  announcing  that  his  gunboats  were  meeting  with  great 
success,  and  asking  that  the  land  force  be  sent  at  once.  Grant  imme 
diately  ordered  General  Stuart  to  proceed  with  his  division.  The  dis- 


192  GENERAL   GRANT 

tance  by  land  from  the  Mississippi,  along  the  Muddy  Bayou,  is  about 
one  mile.  On  account  of  the  impossibility  of  taking  any  thing  but  small 
steamers,  of  which  we  had  but  five,  through  Steele's  Bayou,  the  infantry 
was  ordered  to  cross  by  this  route  to  the  bayou.  On  reaching  Eagle 
Bend,  a  personal  examination  of  the  ground,  made  by  Generals  Stuart 
and  Ewing,  disclosed  the  fact  that  two  long  bridges  were  necessary  to 
the  movement  of  troops.  The  levee  near  the  plantation  of  Senator 
Gwin  had  been  carried  away  by  a  crevasse,  and  the  water  was  rushing 
across  his  fields  in  a  rapid  torrent  of  considerable  depth.  The  building 
of  the  bridges  occupied  a  day  and  a  half.  Soon  as  it  was  completed, 
the  division  marched  across  to  Steele's  Bayou.  General  Stuart  at  once 
embarked  so  much  of  the  First  Brigade  as  could  be  transported  upon  the 
steamer  Silver  "Wave,  and  started  up  through  the  wilderness  of  forest 
and  water. 

Between  the  Mississippi  and  the  line  of  railway  from  Memphis  to 
Jackson,  the  country  north  of  the  Yazoo,  for  some  fifty  miles,  is  trav 
ersed  by  three  considerable  streams,  Steele's  Bayou,  Deer  Creek,  and 
the  Sunflower,  all  of  which  are  fed  by  innumerable  creeks,  bayous, 
and  lakes,  and  empty  into  the  Tazoo — Steele's  seven  miles  from  the 
Mississippi,  near  the  scene  of  the  battle  of  Chickasaw  Bayou;  Deer 
Creek  below,  and  the  Sunflower  above  Haines's  Bluff.  Their  course, 
as  is  that  of  all  streams  through  low  and  level  ground,  is  very  tortuous, 
very  like  the  streams  in  the  wild  marshes.  Transform  the  reeds  of  such 
marshes  into  the  luxuriant  growth  of  a  Southern  swamp,  and  a  better 
idea  could  not  be  had  of  the  wet  wilderness  in  which  we  were.  The 
eastern  part  of  Issaguena  county,  on  Deer  Creek,  has  higher  land,  and 
some  of  the  most  valuable  cotton  plantations  in  the  State.  The  soil  is 
exceedingly  prolific.  "We  found  in  it  immense  numbers  of  slaves,  and 
great  quantities  of  cotton  and  grain.  The  Admiral  called  it  one  of  the 
granaries  of  the  Confederacy. 

It  was  supposed  to  be  so  inaccessible,  that  the  plantations  were  in  the 
usual  process  of  cultivation,  the  fields  planted  with  corn,  which  was 
up,  instead  of  cotton.  They  believed  themselves  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  devastations  of  war — had  their  gardens  well  stocked  with  vegeta 
bles,  which  were  growing  most  temptingly,  and,  fancying  that  "  the  in 
vader"  could  not  penetrate,  with  gunboats  and  armies,  the  lagoons  and 
forests  which  surrounded  thorn,  devoted  their  fancied  security  to  the 
raising  of  crops  to  feed  their  brother  rebels  in  the  field.  The  appear 
ance  of  the  iron-clads  was  the  first  notice  they  had  had  of  our  approach. 
The  overseer  hastily  fled,  giving  notice  of  the  presence  of  the  Yankees 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  193 

in  the  garden.     A  contraband  told  us,  his  master  called  the  Deer  Creek 
country  the  Confederate  snuff-box,  that  the  Yankees  could  not  open. 

Going  up  the  Yazoo  river  seven  miles,  thence  up  Steele's  Bayou 
twelve  miles,  the  fleet  came  to  Muddy  Bayou,  which  runs  across  from 
the  Mississippi  into  Steele's.  At  this  point  the  troops  came  over  on 
floating  bridges  and  embarked.  Hence  they  were  transported  up 
Steele's  and  Black  Bayou  about  twenty  miles  to  Hill's  plantation,  and 
marched  thence  twenty-one  miles  on  a  levee  north  along  Deer  Creek 
nearly  to  Rolling  Fork.  It  was  proposed  at  that  point  to  embark  the 
troops  again  on  transports,  and  proceed  on  that  creek  a  distance  of 
seven  miles,  until  we  reached  the  Sunflower.  Once  upon  the  Sun 
flower,  a  stream  of  considerable  width,  we  could  reach  the  Yazoo,  be 
tween  Haines's  Bluff  and  Yazoo  City,  and  would  be  in  a  position  to  ope 
rate  against  the  enemy  at  various  points  with  great  effect.  So  much 
for  the  object  of  the  expedition  and  the  route  through  which  it  was  to 
pass. 

General  Grant  and  Admiral  Porter,  with  the  Musquito  Rattler,  and  a 
tug,  made  a  reconnoissance  far  enough  to  establish  the  fact  that  gun 
boats  could  pass  from  the  Yazoo  into  Steele's  Bayou.  Admiral  Porter 
immediately  started  with  his  gunboats  up  the  Bayou.  General  Grant 
ordered  General  Sherman,  with  a  division  of  his  army  corps,  'to  form 
the  land  force.  General  Sherman  started  at  once  with  a  regiment,  and 
the  pioneer  corps,  to  clear  the  bayou  of  obstructions — there  was  no  de 
lay.  The  reconnoissance  was  made  on  the  15th,  General  Grant's  tug 
returning  the  morning  of  the  16th.  Before  night  the  advance  of  the 
land  force  and  gunboats  were  at  Muddy  Bayou.  Dispatches  were  re 
ceived  by  General  Grant  that  evening  of  the  progress  of  the  expedition, 
and  General  Stuart  was  ordered  to  follow  with  the  rest  of  the  division 
in  the  morning.  Arriving  at  Eagle  Bend  on  the  17th,  a  reconnoissance 
in  small  boats,  made  by  General  Suart  and  his  brigade  commanders,  and 
another  made  twenty  miles  above,  at  Tullahola,  by  Colonel  Giles  A. 
Smith,  demonstrated  that  the  troops  could  not  be  marched  across,  a 
crevasse  having  swollen  the  Muddy  Bayou  to  a  rapid  deep  stream.  The 
construction  of  two  long  floating  bridges  occupied  the  18th  and  the  fore 
noon  of  the  19th,  and  the  division  marched  at  once  to  Steele's  Bayou. 
Arriving  there,  we  found  only  one  transport,  the  Silver  Wave.  Embark 
ing  two  regiments,  Stuart  started  up  at  once.  During  the  three  succeed 
ing  days,  the  boats  which  we  had  were  used  with  all  the  dispatch  possible, 
in  transporting  the  troops  to  the  rendezvous.  At  the  mouth  of  Black  Bayou 
they  were  transported  from  the  steamers  to  a  coal-barge,  which  was  towed 
9 


194  GENERAL   GRANT 

by  a  tug  up  Black  Bayou.  In  the  mean  time  the  gunboats  had  gone 
through  Black  Bayou  into  Deer  Creek.  The  great  might  and  strength 
of  the  iron-clads  enabled  them  to  ride  over  almost  any  ordinary  growth 
of  willow  and  cypress  in  the  creek — the  water  was  deep,  and  they 
moved  slowly  and  surely  along  up  Deer  Creek  some  fifteen  miles,  with 
out  much  labor,  and  without  any  obstruction  from  the  enemy.  On  the 
20th,  the  rebels  commenced  annoying  them  with  sharp-shooters,  and  by 
felling  trees  in  the  creeks.  The  boats  were  obliged  to  lay  by  at  night, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  the  Admiral  found  considerable  obstruc 
tions  in  the  river,  and  an  enemy,  some  600  strong,  with  a  field  battery  of 
rifles,  disputing  his  passage.  This  was  near  some  old  Indian  mounds,  and 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  day  they  were  kept  quite  busy,  making  but 
a  half  mile  progress. 

Large  bodies  were  kept  a  good  distance  from  the  fleet,  but  sharp 
shooters  would  come  up  behind  trees  and  fire,  taking  deliberate  aim 
at  our  men.  The  Admiral  sent  a  dispatch  back  to  General  Sherman, 
stating  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  a  force  was  at  once  sent  to  tho 
relief  of  the  gunboats,  and  to  assist  in  getting  them  through.  They 
made  a  forced  march,  skirmishing  a  part  of  the  way,  and  reaching  the 
gunboats  before  night  of  the  22d,  a  distance  of  twenty-one  miles,  over  a 
terrible  road.  During  the  day  the  enemy  had  been  largely  re-enforced 
from  the  Yazoo,  and  now  unmasked  some  5,000  men — infantry,  cavalry, 
and  artillery.  The  boats  were  surrounded  with  rebels,  who  had  cut  down 
trees  before  and  behind  them,  were  moving  up  artillery,  and  making 
every  exertion  to  cut  off  retreat  and  capture  our  boats.  A  patrol  was  at 
once  established  for  a  distance  of  seven  miles  along  Deer  Creek,  behind 
the  boats,  with  a  chain  of  sentinels  outside  of  them,  to  prevent  the  fell 
ing  of  trees.  For  a  mile  and  a  half  to  Rolling  Fork,  the  creek  was  full 
of  obstructions.  Heavy  batteries  were  on  its  bank,  supported  by  a  large 
force.  To  advance  was  impossible ;  to  retreat  seemed  almost  hopeless. 
The  gunboats  had  their  ports  all  closed,  and  preparations  made  to  re 
sist  boarders.  The  mortar -boats  were  all  ready  for  fire  and  explosion. 
The  army  lines  were  so  close  to  each  other  that  rebel  officers  wander 
ed  into  our  lines  in  the  dark,  and  were  captured.  It  was  the  second 
night  without  sleep  aboard  ship,  and  the  infantry  had  marched  twenty- 
one  miles  without  rest.  But  the  faithful  force,  with  their  energetic 
leader,  kept  successful  watch  and  ward  over  the  boats  and  their 
valuable  artillery.  At  7  o'clock  that  morning  (the  22d),  General  Sher 
man  received  a  dispatch  from  the  Admiral,  by  the  hands  of  a  faithful 
contraband  (who  came  along  through  the  rebel  lines  in  the  night), 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  195 

stating  his  perilous  condition.  Leaving  a  dispatch  for  General  Stuart, 
who  was  bringing  up  Ewing's  Brigade,  and  orders  for  Stuart  to  follow 
him  with  the  remainder  of  the  division,  General  Sherman  at  once  march 
ed  with  the  Second  Brigade,  and  a  part  of  the  First  Brigade.  Our  gunboats 
at  that  time  were  in  a  bend  of  the  creek,  the  three  regiments  of  the  First 
Brigade  had  been  brought  in  and  placed  in  position  near  the  boats.  A 
rebel  battery  of  fifteen  guns  was  in  front,  at  Rolling  Fork.  The  creek 
was  barely  the  width  of  a  gunboat — the  boats  were  so  close  up  that  only 
one  bow  gun  apiece  of  four  could  be  used,  and  then  at  an  inconvenient 
angle — in  fact,  in  only  one  position — and  the  broadsides  of  several  were 
useless  on  account  of  the  bank.  Our  immense  superiority  of  metal  was 
thus  rendered  almost  useless  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  an  enemy  that 
was  endeavoring  to  encircle  the  Admiral's  boats.  If  his  rear  was  gained, 
their  superior  numbers  could  board  the  first  or  the  last  boat,  and, 
having  captured  her.  use  her  guns  with  fearful  effect  on  the  others. 

About  mid-day  the  enemy  commenced  moving  upon  us,  with  the  pur 
pose  of  reaching  the  bank  of  the  creek  below  the  gunboats  and  below 
the  infantry.  General  Sherman  was  some  six  miles  distant.  The  rebels 
are  believed  to  have  advanced  with  about  4,000  men.  It  must  be  borne 
in  mind  that  our  troops  were  on  a  belt  of  land  which  forms  the  bank  of 
the  creek,  of  not  great  width,  back  of  which  the  bottom  laud  was  under 
water  and  impassable.  The  rebels  came  down  with  the  intention  of 
turning  his  right  and  reaching  the  creek  below.  The  gunboats  and  four 
mortars  opened  upon  them,  as  soon  as  they  discovered  themselves  in 
bodies.  This  firing  embarrassed  their  movements  and  considerably 
retarded  them.  They  debouched  through  the  wood  and  became  engaged 
with  the  skirmishers.  The  fight  was  beginning  to  be  in  earnest,  but  the 
rebels  were  gaining  ground.  The  object  was  not  a  battle,  but  to  pass  by 
our  forces.  The  first  firing  of  the  gunboats  was  heard  by  General 
Sherman  near  the  Shelby  plantation.  He  urged  his  troops  forward,  and 
after  an  hour's  hard  marching,  the  advance,  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
came  upon  a  body  of  the  enemy  who  had  passed  by  the  force  which  had 
been  engaged.  Immediately  engaging  them,  the  enemy  stood  a  while 
disconcerted  by  the  unexpected  attack,  fought  a  short  time,  and  gave 
way.  Our  forces  pressed  them,  driving  them  back  some  two  miles.  The 
gunboats  opened  upon  them  thus  hemmed  in,  and  the  day  was  ours. 
The  rebels  retreated,  and  the  gunboats  were  saved  for  that  day.  Our 
loss  was  but  one  killed  and  none  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  rebels  was 
heavy.  One  shell  from  a  mortar  killed  twenty-six,  as  they  were  rallying 
as  skirmishers.  Another  is  stated  to  have  killed  and  wounded  forty 


196  GENERAL   GRANT 

persons.  They  suffered  very  much,  but,  as  we  did  not  attempt  to  occupy 
the  field,  it  cannot  be  ascertained.  It  being  obvious  that  further  advance 
was  impracticable,  the  boats  at  once  commenced  moving  backward,  and 
made  several  miles  that  evening. 

The  next  effort  of  the  rebels  was  to  pass  around  our  lines  in  the  after 
noon  and  night,  and  throw  their  whole  force  still  further  below  us.  Gen 
eral  Stuart,  with  four  regiments,  marched  on  Hill's  plantation  the  same 
morning,  having  run  his  transports  in  the  night,  and  immediately  ad 
vanced  one  regiment  up  Deer  Creek,  and  another  still  further  to  the 
right.  The  rebels,  who  were  making  a  circuit  about  General  Sherman, 
thus  found  the  whole  line  occupied,  and  abandoned  the  attempt  to  cut 
off  the  gunboats  for  that  day.  During  the  afternoon  the  troops  and 
gunboats  all  arrived  at  Hill's  plantation.  Kebel  scouts  followed  them 
within  two  miles  of  the  division  head-quarters.  During  the  night  the 
picket  about  one-half  mile  out  was  attacked  by  a  squadron  of  cavalry, 
It  immediately,  upon  the  return  of  their  fire,  fell  back.  In  the  afternoon 
of  the  next  day,  another  regiment  was  attacked  by  three  regiments  of 
infantry  and  a  squadron  of  cavalry.  Acting  under  instructions  to  draw 
them  on,  and  to  develop  their  whole  force,  a  skirmish  ensued,  but  they 
refused  to  follow.  The  enemy,  the  night  before,  landed  a  steamer  and 
two  flatboats,  loaded  with  troops  and  artillery,  about  six  miles  above.  We 
remained  two  days  at  Hill's  plantation,  waiting  for  the  rebels  to  prepare ; 
but  they  would  not  give  or  receive  battle.  We  embarked  on  the  trans 
ports  and  gunboats,  and  returned.  The  troops,  gunboats,  ammunition, 
and  supplies,  with  a  considerable  quantity  of  cotton  and  fifty  good  mules, 
are  all  safe,  and  approaching  Young's  Point,  as  I  write. 

There  were  destroyed  by  our  troops  and  by  the  rebels  at  least  2,000 
bales  of  cotton,  50,000  bushels  of  corn,  and  the  gins  and  houses  of  the 
plantations  whoso  owners  had  obstructed  our  progress,  and  joined  in  the 
warfare.  The  resources  of  the  country  we  found  ample  to  subsist  the 
army  at  Vicksburg  for  some  length  of  time,  and  by  the  destruction  of 
them  we  crippled  the  enemy  so  far. 

There  were  features  about  this  expedition  novel  and  exciting. 

Black  Bayou,  a  narrow  stream  heretofore,  only  navigated  by  dug 
outs,  was  made  of  the  width  of  our  steamers,  with  great  labor  of  felling 
trees  and  sawing  stumps  below  the  surface.  Every  foot  of  our  way 
was  cut  and  torn  through  a  dense  forest,  never  before  traversed  by 
steamers.  I  never  witnessed  a  more  exciting  and  picturesque  scene 
than  the  transportation,  on  the  last  day,  of  the  Third  Brigade,  by  General 
Stuart.  Crowded  with  n.en,  the  steamer,  at  the  highest  possible  speed. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  197 

pushed  through  overhanging  trees  and  around  short  curves.  Some 
times  wedged  fast  between  trees,  then  sailing  along  smoothly,  a  hugo 
cypress  would  reach  out  an  arm  and  sweep  the  whole  length  of  the 
boats,  tearing  guards  and  chimneys  from  the  decks.  The  last  trip 
through  the  Black  Bayou  was  in  a  night  pitchy  dark  and  rainy. 

While  the  adventure  was  of  uncertain  success — when  the  result 
seemed  almost  accomplished,  and  when  our  gunboats  were  surrounded 
with  an  enemy  confident  of  victory,  and  their  extrication  seemed  almost 
an  impossibility — officers  and  men  worked  with  equal  alacrity,  whether 
in  building  bridges  or  making  forced  marches,  both  by  day  and  in  the 
night.  The  whole  time  was  used  in  labor — constant  and  severe.  It 
seems  almost  a  miracle  that  the  boats  were  saved.  If  Generals  Sher 
man  and  Stuart,  by  their  utmost  exertions  and  labor,  had  forwarded 
their  troops  a  single  half  day  later,  if  the  second  forced  march  under 
General  Sherman  had  been  retarded  a  single  hour,  in  all  human  proba 
bility  the  whole  force  would  have  been  lost.* 

All  these  expeditions  proved  to  be  excellent  feints  to 
distract  the  enemy's  attention  ;  but  there  is  no  doubt  that 
if  they  had  succeeded,  one  of  them  would  have  been 
adopted,  and  might  not  have  produced  so  glorious  a  result 
as  the  final  campaign  and  plans  which  General  Grant  had 
himself  laid  out.  In  fact,  he  states  in  his  report,  that  the 
failure  of  these  expeditions  "  may  have  been  providential 
in  driving  him  ultimately  to  a  line  of  operations  which  has 
proven  eminently  successful." 

The  losses  inflicted  on  the  enemy  in  the  destruction  of 
supplies,  and  the  withdrawal  of  certain  portions  of  his 
garrison  to  meet  the  expeditionary  movements  were  of 
inestimable  value  to  General  Grant  in  his  final  Vicksburg 

campaign. 

*• 

*  Correspondence  of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  April,  1863. 


198  GENERAL  GRANT 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

THE    HEALTH    OF   THE   ARMY. 

IT  has  often  been  stated  by  generals  in  the  field,  that 
they  had  far  less  dread  of  the  enemy  in  their  front  than 
they  had  of  their  friends  at  home.  A  slight  word  of 
alarm,  uttered  by  the  latter  in  a  careless  moment,  would 
soon  be  increased  until  it  became  a  perfect  panic.  While 
General  Grant  was  engaged  in  the  before  described  expe 
ditions,  letters  to  friends  were  for  a  time  prohibited,  to 
prevent  information  reaching  the  enemy  through  a  mail 
captured  by  guerillas  ;  and  this  absence  of  regular  communi 
cation  between  those  in  the  army  and  their  friends  at  home, 
led  the  latter  to  believe  that  the  former  were  sick.  An 
interchange  of  such  news  between  the  friends  of  various 
absentees,  and  the  return  of  a  few  invalids,  settled  it  as  a 
matter  of  fact  that  the  whole  army  was  dying  of  disease. 

An  official  inquiry  was  at  once  made  by  the  Surgeon- 
in-chief,  and  General  Grant,  undef  date  of  March  6th,  1863, 
wrote  to  Surgeon-General  Hammond,  as  follows : 

No  army  ever  went  into  the  field  better  provided  with  medical 
stores  and  attendance  than  is  furnished  to  the  army  before  Vicksburg. 
There  was  a  deficiency  in  volunteer  surgeons,  but  that  is  now  supplied. 
The  hospital  boats  are  supplied  with  their  own  surgeons,  nurses,  and 
every  thing  for  the  comfort  of  the  sick.  The  purveyor's  department 
not  only  has  every  thing  furnished  the  sick,  but  more  than  it  ever 
dreamed  of  was  furnished  to  the  army,  and  more  than  the  great  majority 
of  men  could  have  at  home.  Then,  too,  there  is  not  that  amount  of 
sickness  that  persons  would  be  led  to.believe,  from  the  statements  in 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  109 

the  public  prints.  I  question  whether  the  health  of  the  St.  Louis  force 
is  better  than  that  of  this  command.  On  my  arrival  here,  the  men  who 
had  to  pjit  up  with  straw  for  so  long  a  time,  and  then  with  camping  on 
low  ground  and  in  the  most  terrible  weather  ever  experienced,  there  was 
for  a  time,  of  necessity,  a  great  number  of  sick. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 

The  foregoing  letter  was  informal ;  but  shortly  after  Gen 
eral  Grant  sent,  in  answer  to  the  official  inquiry,  the  follow 
ing  document  for  registry  in  the  departmental  offices  at 
Washington : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
BEFORE  VICKSBURG,  March  12,  1863.  J 

Brigadier-General  W.   A.  HAMMOND,    Surgeon- General,   United  States 

Army. 

Sm:_Surgeon  J.  R.  Smith's  letter  of  the  20th  of  February  is  just 
received,  inquiring  into  the  sanitary  condition  of  this  command,  and 
asking  for  suggestions  for  its  improvement.  /  know  a  great  deal 
has  been  said  to  impress  the  public  generally,  and  officials  particularly, 
with  the  idea,  that  this  army  was  in  a  suffering  condition,  and  mostly  from 
neglect.  This  is  most  erroneous.  The  health  of  this  command  will,  I  ven 
ture  to  say,  compare  favorably  with  that  of  any  army  in  the  field,  and 
every  preparation  is  made  for  the  sick  that  could  be  desired. 

I  will  refer  Surgeon  Smith's  letter  to  my  medical  director  for  a 
fuller  report  of  the  condition  of  the  medical  department  here. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General. 

General  Grant,  desirous  of  having  a  good  supply  of  sani 
tary  stores,  and  to  provide  for  the  proper  transportation 
and  care  of  the  same,  issued  the  following  order  on  the 
date  specified. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPAHTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
YOUNG'S  POINT,  LA.,  March  27,  1863.  ) 

[Special  Orders,  No.  86.] 

I.  The  Quartermaster's  Department  will  provide  and  furnish  a  suita 
ble  steamboat,  to  be  called  the  "  United  States  Sanitary  Store  Boat,"  and 
put  the  same  in  charge  of  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission,  to  be  used  by 
it  exclusively  for  the  conveyance  of  goods  calculated  to  prevent  disease 


200  GENERAL    GKAXT 

— and  supplement  the  government  supply  of  stores  for  the  relief  of  the 
sick  and  wounded. 

II.  No  person  will  be  permitted  to  travel  on  said  boat,  except  sick 
officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy  (and  they  only  on  permits  from  their 
proper  commanding  officers),  discharged  soldiers,  and  employes  of  said 
Sanitary  Commission,  and  no  goods  whatever  for  trading  or  commercial 
purposes  will  be  carried  on  said  boat,  and  no  goods  will  be  taken  for  in 
dividuals,  or  with  any  conditions  which  will  prevent  their  being  deliv 
ered  to  those  most  needing  them  in  the  Army  or  Navy. 

III.  The  contents  of  all  packages  to  be  shipped  on  said  U.  S.  Sanita 
ry  Store  Boat,  will  be  inspected  before  shipment  by  an  agent  of  said 
Sanitary  Commission,  at  the  point  of  shipment,  unless  an  invoice  of  their 
contents  has  been  received,  the  correctness  of  which  is  assured  by  the 
signature  of  some  person  of  known  loyalty  and  integrity.     A  statement, 
showing  what  goods  have  been  placed  on  board  at  each  trip,  will  be 
sent  to  the  Medical  Director  of  the  Department  at  these  head-quarters. 

IV.  A  weekly  statement  will  also  be  made  by  said  Sanitary  Commis 
sion  to  the  Department  Medical  Director,  showing  what  sanitary  supplies 
have  been  issued  by  said  commission,  and  to  whom  issued. 

V.  All  orders  authorizing  the  free   transportation  of  sanitary  stores 
from  Cairo  south,  on  boats  other  than  the  one  herein  provided  for,  are 
hereby  rescinded. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRAXT. 

JOHN  A.  KAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  201 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE   OVERLAND   MOVEMENTS. RUNNING   THE   BATTERIES. 

IT  having  been  plainly  manifested  to  General  Grant  that 
all  the  former  operations  would  not  reach  the  desired  end, 
he  at  once  determined  to  move  his  forces  below  Vicks- 
burg  on  the  Louisiana  shore,  so  as  to  take  the  rebel  works 
in  the  rear.  On  the  29th  of  March,  1863,  the  movement 
commenced ;  the  Thirteenth  Corps  taking  the  lead,  followed 
by  the  Seventeenth  and  Fifteenth,  while  to  the  Sixteenth 
Corps  was  left  the  charge  of  the  communications  and  sup 
plies. 

Shortly  before  this,  Admiral  Farragut  had  run  by  the 
batteries  at  Port  Hudson  with  his  flag-ship,  the  Hartford, 
and  her  tender,  the  Albatross ;  and  on  March  1 7th  was  ly 
ing  off  Natchez,  Miss.  On  March  21st  the  Hartford  arrived 
off  Vicksburg,  and  anchoring  below  the  batteries,  communi 
cated  with  Admiral  Porter  and  General  Grant. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  the  U.  S.  rams  Lancaster  and 
Switzerland  attempted  to  run  by  the  batteries  at  Vicksburg, 
but  were  so  crippled  in  the  attempt  that  the  former  was 
sunk  and  the  latter  temporarily  disabled.  The  rams  had 
been  made  by  altering  river  steamboats,  and  were  far  too 
light  to  withstand  the  shock  of  a  heavy  fire  from  such  bat 
teries  as  those  at  Vicksburg. 

Two  days  after  this  event  Admiral  Farragut,  wilh  the 
Hartford,  engaged  the  batteries  at  Warrenton,  and  sue 
ceeded  in  passing  below  them  en  route  for  the  T&ed  River. 
9*  *" 


202  GENERAL   GRANT 

On  the  1st  of  April  he  engaged  the  batteries  at  Grand 
Gulf,  and  passed  farther  down  the  river  with  the  Albatross 
arid  Switzerland  in  his  company,  arriving  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Red  River  on  the  evening  of  April  2d. 

In  the  mean  time  the  army  kept  on  the  move,  and  on  the 
30th  of  March,  Richmond,  a  village  of  Madison  county, 
La.,  and  on  a  direct  line  with  Vicksburg,  a  few  miles  in 
land  from  the  Mississippi  River,  was  taken  possession  of 
by  a  portion  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  who  drove 
out  the  rebel  cavalry  after  two  hours  sharp  fighting.  The 
Corps  then  pushed  on  towards  New  Carthage.  The  roads, 
although  level,  were  in  a  very  bad  condition,  and  the  march 
was  necessarily  slow  and  tedious.  It  was  important  that 
supplies  and  ammunition  should  travel  with  this  corps, 
and  consequently  the  movements  were  considerably  delayed, 
^s  it  became  at  times  necessary  to  drag  the  wagons  by 
hand. 

Wben  the  corps  was  within  two  miles  of  New  Carthnge, 
•it  wa?  found  that,  in  consequence  of  the  recent  floods  and 
the  breaking  of  the  levee  of  Bayou  Vidal,  that  place  was 
isolated,  and  located  on  an  island.  Boats  were  collected 
from  the  neighboring  bayous,  and  barges  were  built ;  but  by 
this  method  the  progress  of  the  army  was  too  slow  for  the 
purpose  intended.  The  corps  was  therefore  marched  to 
Perkins's  plantation,  twelve  miles  below  New  Carthage, 
and  thirty-five  miles  from  the  point  of  starting.  Over  these 
thirty-five  miles  supplies  and  ordnance  stores  had  to  bo 
transported ;  and  as  the  roads  were  soft  and  spongy,  owing 
to  the  floods,  the  labor  of  this  movement  is  almost  incon 
ceivable.  Provisions  and  ammunition  had  to  be  hauled  in 
wagons,  and  until  a  sufficient  quantity  had  reached  the  camp 
near  the  Mississippi  River,  below  Vicksburg,  it  would  have 
been  impossible  to  have  commenced  a  campaign,  if  a  suc 
cessful  issne  was  to  be  desired. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  203 

While  these  army  movements  were  in  progress,  Admiral 
Porter  was  not  idle ;  but  was  engaged  in  making  prepara 
tions  for  the  running  of  transports  and  gunboats  by  the 
batteries  at  Yicksburg,  so  as  to  be  able  to  co-operate  with 
General  Grant,  and  transport  his  troops  from-the  Louisiana 
shore  of  the  river  to  the  Mississippi  side.  Until  this  was 
accomplished,  the  troops  were  no  nearer  reducing  Vicks- 
burg  than  they  would  have  been  at  Young's  Point  or  Mil- 
liken' s  Bend. 

On  the  night  of  the  16th  of  April,  Admiral  Porter's  fleet 
and  three  transports  ran  by  the  batteries  at  Vicksburg,  and 
all  but  one  succeeded  in  passing  without  being  too  much 
injured  for  service.  These  injuries  were  soon  after  repaired 
under  the  direction  of  Admiral  Porter. 

The  success  of  this  enterprise  induced  General  Grant  to 
send  six  more  transports  down  the  river,  the  fleet  below 
being  ready  to  receive  them  on  their  arrival.  Volunteers 
were  called  for  to  man  the  transports,  and  a  large  number  of 
men  and  officers  tendered  their  services  to  take  the  vessels 
through  on  this  dangerous  trip.  The  enthusiasm  of  the 
volunteers  for  this  expedition  has  scarcely  ever  been  ex 
ceeded  during  the  war.  Five  out  of  the  six  vessels  arrived, 
on  April  22d,  safely  below  the  batteries. 

The  transports  injured  in  running  this  blockade  were  re 
paired  by  order  of  Admiral  Porter,  who  was  supplied  with 
the  material  for  such  repairs  as  they  required.  The  army 
supplied  the  requisite  artisans  and  mechanics,  and  in  a  very 
short  time  five  of  the  transports  were  in  running  order,  and 
the  remainder  were  in  condition  to  be  used  as  barges  for 
the  removal  of  troops.  Twelve  barges  loaded  with  forage 
and  rations  were  sent  in  tow  of  the  six  transports  that 
passed  the  batteries  on  the  22d,  and  of  these  barges  one- 
half  got  through  in  a  condition  to  be  used. 


204  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

GRIERSON'S  EXPEDITION. 

BEFORE  leaving  the  north  side  of  Vicksburg,  to  take 
command  of  his  army  in  person,  General  Grant  determined 
to  cut  all  the  enemy's  communications  with  that  city,  so  as 
to  secure  his  forces  from  an  attack  in  the  rear,  should  it  be 
come  necessary  to  invest  the  place.  He  therefore  detailed 
the  First  Cavalry  Brigade,  under  Colonel  B.  H.  Grierson,  to 
this  duty.  On  April  17th,  1863,  this  force  left  La  Grange, 
Tenn.,  at  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  after  trav 
elling  a  distance  of  thirty  miles  along  the  turnpike  road, 
encamped  within  four  miles  of  Ripley,  Miss. 

At  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  force  was  again 
on  the  march,  and  passing  through  Ripley  moved  south 
wardly  toward  New  Albany.  One  battalion  occupied  the 
place,  while  the  main  body  passed  to  the  east,  but  all  en 
camped  about  four  miles  south  of  New  Albany. 

Before  leaving  Ripley  a  part  of  the  force,  under  Colonel 
Hatch,  was  detached  to  march  on  the  left  flank  of  the  col 
umn,  and  taking  a  southeasterly  direction,  crossed  the  Tal- 
lahatchie  about  five  miles  northeast  of  New  Albany. 

It  was  impossible  for  a  large  force  to  move  through  the 
enemy's  country  without  meeting  some  of  the  foe ;  and  as 
a  natural  result,  skirmishing  took  place  all  along  the  route, 
and  several  prisoners  were  taken.  At  one  time  the  advance 
was  engaged  with  the  pickets  of  Chalmers's  rebel  brigade, 
but  the  latter  was  soon  overpowered,  and  the  main  body  of 
the  rebels  retreated. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  205 

The  rebels  attempted  to  fire  the  bridge  at  New  Albany ; 
but  so  rapid  was  Colonel  Grierson's  advance,  that  his  forces 
were  across  the  river  before  they  could  accomplish  their 
purpose. 

It  now  became  necessary  to  mislead  the  enemy  as  to  the 
actual  destination  of  the  main  body;  therefore,  on  April 
1 9th,  Colonel  Grierson  ordered  a  portion  of  his  force  to 
march  back  to  New  Albany,  thence  by  Kingsbridge,  where 
a  rebel  camp  was  said  to  be  in  existence.  A  second  force 
he  ordered  east,  and  a  third  northwest, while  the  main  body 
marched  due  south.  It  had  been  raining  all  the  previous 
night ;  consequently  this  day's  march  was  performed  under 
great  difficulties.  The  centre  column  then  proceeded  to 
Pontotoc,  where  a  small  rebel  force  was  dispersed,  and  their 
camp  equipage  and  a  quantity  of  salt  seized  and  destroyed. 
At  eight  o'clock  that  evening  the  command  encamped  six 
miles  south  of  Pontotoc  on  the  road  to  Houston. 

On  the  20th,  a  portion  of  the  force  was  detached  and  sent 
back  to  La  Grange  with  the  prisoners  and  captured  bag 
gage.  They  were  ordered  to  make  as  much  noise  in  re 
turning  as  possible,  so  as  to  give  the  rebels  the  idea  that 
the  expedition  was  over,  while  in  fact  the  main  body 
would  still  proceed  south.  This  feint  succeeded  admi 
rably. 

The  next  day  another  force  was  detached,  under  Colonel 
Hatch,  and  ordered  to  destroy  as  much  as  possible  of  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad ;  to  attack  Columbus  near  the 
State  line,  between  Mississippi  and  Alabama,  and  then  to 
march  back  to  La  Grange.  In  this  Colonel  Hatch  was  suc 
cessful,  and  the  movement  drew  off  General  Chalmers's 
rebel  forces  from  following  Colonel  Grierson,  thus  giving 
him  three  days  fresh  start. 

The  main  body  next  moved  to  Starkville,  where  they 
captured  and  destroyed  a  rebel  mail.  After  travelling  four 


206  GENERAL    GRANT 

miles  further,  the  command  divided ;  one-half  swimming  the 
Dismal  Swamp  to  destroy  a  tannery,  which  at  the  time 
contained  a  very  large  stock  of  boots  and  shoes,  saddles, 
bridles,  and  several  thousand  dollars  worth  of  leather ;  the 
other  half  proceeding  on  its  course. 

The  command  being  again  united,  it  pushed  on  towards 
Louisville,  Miss.  This  part  of  the  march  was  of  the  most 
dangerous  character,  as  streams  and  blind  marshes  had 
to  be  crossed  without  any  guide.  Sometimes  the  horses 
would  sink  in  the  mud  and  be  left  to  perish,  and  it  is  won 
derful  that  some  of  the  men  did  not  share  the  same  fate. 
Notwithstanding  the  horrible  nature  of  this  route,  the 
men  preserved  their  fortitude,  and  pushed  on  vigorous 
ly  for  Philadelphia,  Miss.,  where  another  mail  was  de 
stroyed.  Private  property,  however,  was  in  all  cases 
respected. 

On  April  23d,  the  force  pushed  on  to  the  Southern  Rail 
road  at  Newton,  moving  by  way  of  Decatur,  and  arrived 
at  the  former  place  about  daylight  on  the  24th.  Here  two 
trains,  bound  to  Vicksburg,  via  Jackson,  were  captured, 
and  the  whole  thirty-eight  cars,  with  the  loads  of  quarter 
master,  commissary,  and  ordnance  stores  destroyed.  The 
locomotives  were  also  rendered  useless.  Several  bridges 
and  a  quantity  of  trestle  work  were  destroyed  in  this  vicin 
ity,  after  which,  on  the  25th,  the  raiding  force  moved  to 
wards  Montrose,  thence  to  Raleigh,  Miss.,  where  they 
encamped  for  the  night. 

At  this  time  the  rebels  were  close  upon  Colonel  Grier- 
son's  heels,  on  ascertaining  which,  he  moved  over  the  Leaf 
River,  destroying  the  bridge  behind  him,  and  then  marched 
to  Westville.  Here  two  battalions  were  detached,  and 
made  a  forced  march  to  Hazlehurst  station,  on  the  Jackson 
and  New  Orleans  Railroad,  where  they  destroyed  forty 
cars,  four  of  which  were  loaded  with  shell  and  ammunition, 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  20 7 

arid  the  remainder  with  quartermaster  and  commissary 
stores. 

A  detachment  also  made  a  raid  upon  Enterprise,  on  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  thus  diverting  the  enemy's 
attention  from  the  movements  of  the  main  body. 

When  near  Gallatin,  the  cavalry  captured  and  spiked  a 
thirty-two  pound  Parrot  gun,  which  the  rebels  were  haul 
ing  towards  Vicksburg. 

A  detachment  was  next  ordered  to  Bahala,  on  the  Jack 
son  and  New  Orleans  Railroad,  where  they  destroyed  sev 
eral  miles  of  track  and  telegraph  wire,  a  number  of  cars, 
water-tanks,  and  a  considerable  amount  of  government 
property. 

On  the  morning  of  April  28th,  the  advance  arrived  at 
Brookhaven,  where  it  surprised  a  body  of  rebels,  taking 
about  two  hundred  prisoners.  Here  a  camp  of  instruction, 
about  five  hundred  tents,  and  a  large  supply  of  small  arms 
were  destroyed. 

Colonel  Grierson,  after  making  feints  of  moving  towards 
Port  Gibson  and  Natchez,  marched,  on  April  30th,  along 
the  New  Orleans  and  Jackson  Railroad,  destroying  all  the 
bridges  between  Brookhaven  and  Bogue  Chito  station.  At 
the  latter  place,  a  number  of  loaded  cars  were  found  and 
destroyed.  He  next  moved  on  to  Summit,  where  he  de 
stroyed  another  train  of  cars. 

The  Union  cavalry  force  then  passed  along  the  country 
road  towards  Clinton,  and  on  their  way  met  a  body  of 
rebel  cavalry,  which  they  engaged  and  routed.  They  again 
pushed  on  steadily  towards  the  Mississippi  River. 

On  Friday,  May  1st,  at  about  noon,  the  inhabitants  of  Ba 
ton  Rouge  were  startled  by  the  arrival  of  a  courier,  who 
announced  that  a  brigade  of  cavalry  from  General  Grant's 
army  had  cut  their  way  through  the  heart  of  the  rebel 
country  and  were  then  only  five  miles  outside  of  the  city. 


208  GENERAL 

The  information  saemod  too  astounding  for  belief.  At  four 
o'clock,  however,  there  was  no  longer  doubt  of  the  fact, 
for  Colonel  Grierson  and  his  heroes  were  escorted  into  the 
city  by  a  company  of  cavalry  belonging  to  that  post.  At 
the  picket  lines  they  were  welcomed  by  the  commander 
and  his  staff,  and  the  cheers  of  the  garrison,  as  the  adventu 
rers  entered  Baton  Rouge,  could  have  been  heard  for  miles. 

The  value  of  this  expedition  can  scarcely  be  appreciated 
by  merely  reading  the  preceding  account ;  but  when  it  is 
considered  that,  in  fifteen  days  this  cavalry  force  marched 
over  eight  hundred  miles,  travelling  through  the  very  heart 
of  the  enemy's  country,  killed  and  wounded  a  number  of  the 
enemy,  destroyed  over  four  million  dollars  worth  of  prop 
erty,  cut  off  all  communication  with  the  rebel  stronghold 
at  Vicksburg,  captured  over  a  thousand  prisoners,  and 
twelve  hundred  horses,  besides  menacing  the  enemy  at 
points  where  they  deemed  themselves  secure,  it  will  be  at 
once  seen  that  the  expedition  was  one  of  the  most  impor 
tant,  as  well  as  the  most  successful  of  the  war,  and  is  ex 
ceedingly  creditable  to  all  concerned. 

About  the  same  time  cavalry  raids  were  being  made  into 
Alabama  and  Georgia,  under  Colonel  Streight,  and  to  the 
rear  of  General  Lee's  army  in  Virginia,  under  General  Stone- 
man,  the  various  movements  carrying  consternation  and 
terror  into  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  dominions,  and  making 
it  shake  at  its  very  centre. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  work  accomplished  by 
Colonel  Grierson  during  his  expedition. 

Locomotives  destroyed,  2  ;  cars  destroyed,  nearly  200 ; 
bridges  burned,  etc.,  9  ;  telegraph  wires  cut,  2 ;  railroad 
tracks  destroyed  and  broken,  3 ;  rebel  camps  destroyed,  3 ; 
important  rebel  mails  destroyed,  3  ;  prisoners  taken,  over 
1,000  ;  tannery  burned,  1 ;  horses  captured,  over  1,200  ; 
miles  travelled,  over  800  ;  value  of  'property  destroyed, 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  209 

over  $4,000,000.  Besides  cutting  off  all  railroad  communi 
cation  with  the  rebel  strongholds  on  the  Mississippi,  as  well 
as  entirely  destroying  muskets,  tents,  stores,  leather,  boots, 
saddles,  etc.,  of  great  value  to  the  rebels  in  a  military  point 
of  view. 

Although  the  loss  to  the  rebels  was  very  great,  the  gain 
to  General  Grant  was  of  corresponding  value. 

The  following  is  General  Grant's  first  announcement  of 
the  success  of  the  expedition  : 

GRAND  GULF,  Miss.,  May  6. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  General-in-Chief: 

I  learn  that  Colonel  Grierson,  with  his  cavalry,  has  been  heard  of, 
first,  about  ten  days  ago,  in  Northern  Mississippi. 

He  moved  thence  and  struck  the  railroad  thirty  miles  east  of  Jack 
son,  at  a  point  called  Newton's  Station. 

Ho  then  moved  southward,  towards  Enterprise,  demanded  the  surren 
der  of  the  place,  and  gave  one  hour's  grace,  during  which  General  Lorm- 
niey  arrived. 

He  left  at  once  and  moved  towards  Hazelhurst,  on  the  New  Orleans 
and  Jackson  Railroad.  At  this  point  he  tore  up  the  track.  Thence  he 
pushed  to  Bahala,  ten  miles  further  south,  on  the  same  road,  and  thenco 
eastward,  on  the  Natchez  road,  where  he  had  a  fight  with  Wirt  Adams's 
cavalry. 

From  this  point  he  moved  back  to  the  New  Orleans  and  Jackson  Rail 
road,  to  Brookhaven,  ten  miles  south  of  Bahala,  and  when  last  heard 
from  he  was  three  miles  from  Summit,  ten  miles  south  of  Brookhaven, 
and  was  supposed  to  be  making  his  way  to  Baton  Rouge. 

He  had  spread  excitement  throughout  the  State,  destroying  railroads, 
trestleworks,  and  bridges,  burning  locomotives  and  railway  stock,  taking 
prisoners,  and  destroying  stores  of  all  kinds. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 


210  GENERAL   GEANT 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

OTHEE    PEELIMINAEY    MOVEMENTS. — ATTACK    UPON    GEAND 

GULF. 

THE  day  after  Colonel  Grierson  had  started  on  his  expe 
dition,  a  party  of  Union  troops,  consisting  of  three  regi 
ments  of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry,  left  Memphis,  Tenn., 
on  a  reconnoissance  into  Mississippi.  At  Nanconnah  they 
met  a  body  of  rebel  cavalry,  which,  after  a  brisk  fight,  was 
repulsed  with  some  loss.  On  the  19th  another  body  of 
mounted  rebels  were  met  and  driven  over  the  Cold  water 
in  confusion.  The  Union  troops  having  been  re-enforced  at 
Hernando,  Miss.,  again  crossed  the  Coldwater  and  engaged 
the  rebels  at  that  point. 

At  about  the  same  time  General  Banks's  forces  were 
making  a  demonstration  in  the  neighborhood  of  Baton 
Rouge. 

Owing  to  the  limited  number  of  transports  below  Yicks- 
burg,  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  General  Grant  to  extend 
his  line  of  land  travel  to  a  little  place  in  Louisiana,  on  the 
Mississippi  River  shore,  locally  known  by  the  designation 
of  Hard  Times.  As  this  place  could  only  be  reached  by  a 
very  circuitous  land  route,  the  distance  between  the  base 
of  supplies  at  Milliken's  Bend  and  the  advance  of  the  army 
was  increased  to  seventy  miles,  with  roads  entirely  unsuited 
for  the  operations  of  an  army.  But  as  the  place  was 
nearer  to  the  point  at  which  General  Grant  had  intended 
to  land  his  troops,  on  the  Mississippi  side  of  the  river,  he 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  211 

was  determined  that  the  roads  should  not  prove  an  obstacle 
to  thwart  him  in  his  plans.  He  therefore  detailed  a  por 
tion  of  his  pioneer  force  to  prepare  the  line  of  travel,  and 
to  keep  it  in  order  after  it  was  constructed. 

The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  was  embarked  during  the 
night  of  the  28th  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  29th  of 
April,  1863,  and  the  Seventeenth  Corps  being  well  on  its 
way  to  take  their  place,  General  Grant  ordered  the  trans 
ports  to  move  over  to  the  front  of  Grand  Gulf.  The 
plan  had  been  for  the  navy  to  attack  the  rebel  works,  and 
for  the  military  forces  to  land  under  cover  of  the  guns, 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  place  by  storm.  At  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning  Admiral  Porter's  fleet  opened  upon 
the  works,  which  he  engaged  for  five  hours  in  the  most 
brilliant  manner.  It,  however,  soon  became  evident  that 
the  enemy's  batteries  could  not  be  silenced  or  taken  from 
the  water  front,  as  the  whole  range  of  hills  was  lined  with 
rifle-pits,  supported  by  field  artillery,  that  could  be  moved 
from  one  position  to  the  other  with  the  greatest  ease. 
General  Grant  therefore  determined  to  change  his  plan  and 
eifect  a  landing,  if  possible,  at  Rodney,  some  distance  be 
low  Grand  Gulf.  But  to  effect  this  it  became  necessary 
again  to  run  the  rebel  batteries.  A  consultation  was 
therefore  held  between  General  Grant  and  Admiral  Porter, 
and  a  plan  soon  agreed  upon. 

At  dark  Admiral  Porter's  fleet  again  engaged  the  batte 
ries,  and  under  cover  of  this  contest 'the  transports  ran  by 
the  rebel  works,  receiving  but  two  or  three  shots  in  the 
passage,  and  these  not  inflicting  any  material  injury. 

During  the  whole  of  the  naval  engagement  at  Grand 
Gulf,  General  Grant  was  on  board  a  tug  in  the  middle  of 
the  stream,  a  witness  of  the  contest,  ;  nd  ready  to  move 
his  forces  to  the  assault  as  soon  as  the  time  appeared  pro 
pitious. 


212  GENERAL    GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE  LANDING  AT  BRUINSBURG,  AND  ADVANCE. 

AFTER  the  withdrawal  of  the  fleet  from  before  Grand 
Gulf,  the  troops  were  again  landed  at  Hard  Times,  so  that 
the  transports  might  run  easily  by  the  rebel  batteries  with 
out  endangering  more  lives  than  was  actually  necessary. 
These  disembarked  troops  were  then  marched  overland, 
across  the  upper  end  of  Cofiee's  Point  and  D'Schron's 
plantation,  to  the  Louisiana  shore  of  the  Mississippi  River 
below  Grand  Gulf. 

A  reconnoitring  party  was  next  sent  out  to  discover  the 
best  point  at  which  the  troops  could  cross  the  river  to  the 
Mississippi  shore.  General  McClernand  says  in  his  report 
of  June  17th,  1863:  "The  reconnoissance  made  by  my 
cavalry,  in  pursuance  of  Major-General  Grant's  order,  in 
dicated  Bruinsburg  to  be  the  point.  Hence,  embarking  on 
the  morning  of  the  thirtieth,  my  corps  immediately  pro 
ceeded  to  that  place,  and  disembarked  before  noon." 

The  advance  was  now  on  the  Vicksburg  side  of  the 
river,  and  every  thing  was  to  be  subservient  to  activity  and 
rapid  motion.  The  orders  were  that  there  should  be  no 
delay  under  any  circumstances.  Promptitude  was  espe 
cially  necessary,  as  by  that  only  could  success  be  guaran 
teed. 

At  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  after  having  halted  just 
long  enough  to  distribute  three  days'  rations,  the  advance 
of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  took  up  its  line  of  march 


A:ST>  HIS  CAMPAIGNS.  213 

for  the  bluffs,  three  miles  from  the  river.  In  this  move 
ment  the  corps  commander  states  in  his  report  that  he 
acted  "  agreeably  with  General  Grant's  instructions."  The 
bluffs  were,  therefore,  reached  and  taken  possession  of  some 
time  before  sunset. 

'The  army  had  started  in  very  light  marching  order,  with 
out  trains  or  baggage,  so  that  nothing  should  interfere  with 
their  rapid  movements.  Each  man  carried  his  allotted  quan 
tity  of  rations,  and  the  bivouac  and  not  the  camp  was  to  be 
the  order  of  the  night.* 

The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  after  reaching  the  Bluffs, 
pushed  on  toward  Port  Gibson,  for  the  purpose  of  surpris 
ing  any  enemy  that  might  be  found  in  that  neighborhood, 
and  if  possible  to  prevent  him  from  destroying  the  bridges 
over  Bayou  Pierre,  on  the  roads  leading  to  Grand  Gulf 
and  to  Jackson.  To  accomplish  this  object,  the  corps  had 
to  make  forced  marches,  and  to  travel  as  far  as  possible 
along  the  road  during  that  night. 

The  following  account  is  given  by  one  who  participated 
in  this  movement  of  the  rear  column  of  the  Thirteenth  Ar 
my  Corps  : 

Events  have  followed  each  other  so  rapidly  within  the  last  three  days, 

*  The  following  is  related  of  the  very  light  manner  in  which  General 
Grant  commenced  the  campaign : — 

A  gentleman  who  participated  in  the  Yicksburg  campaign  of  General 
Grant,  up  to  the  time  the  enemy  crossed  the  Big  Black  in  the  retreat  to 
wards  Vicksburg,  states  that  "  in  starting  on  the  movement  the  General 
disencumbered  himself  of  every  thing,  setting  an  example  to  his  officers 
and  men.  He  took  neither  a  horse  nor  a  servant,  overcoat  nor  blanket, 
nor  tent  nor  camp  chest,  nor  even  a  clean  shirt.  His  only  baggage  con 
sisted  of  a  tooth-brush.  He  always  showed  his  teeth  to  the  rebels.  He 
shared  all  the  hardships  of  the  private  soldier,  sleeping  in  the  front  and  in 
the  open  air,  and  eating  hard  tack  and  salt  pork.  He  wore  no  sword, 
had  on  a  low-crowned  citizen's  hat,  and  the  only  thing  about  him  to  mark 
him  as  a  military  man  was  his  two  stars  on  his  undress  military  coat." 


214  .  GENERAL    GRANT 

that  it  seems  utterly  impossible  to  keep  pace  with  them  as  they  have 
occurred. 

When  I  wrote  to  you  from  Bruinsburg,  it  was  long  past  midnight,  and 
at  the  conclusion  of  my  letter  I  was  forced  to  throw  myself  upon  the 
ground,  under  the  friendly  shelter  of  a  thrifty  cottouwood,  to  gain  a 
little  sleep  for  the  labors  of  the  coming  day.  Since  eleven  o'clock  of 
the  preceding  (Thursday)  night  we  had  heard  the  occasional  boom  of 
cannon,  followed  by  the  sharp  rattle  of  musketry,  and  I  was  not  sur 
prised,  soon  after  I  went  into  bivouac,  to  learn  that  an  order  was  issued 
to  march  at  daylight.  At  five  reveille  was  beaten,  and  swallowing  a  cup 
of  coffee  and  securing  within  haversack  a  cracker  or  two,  just  as  the  first 
rays  of  the  tropical  sun  came  glittering  along  the  surface  of  the  Missis 
sippi,  we  left  our  bivouac,  and  taking  the  levee,  moved  in  the  direction 
of  Port  Gibson. 

The  steamers,  which  a  few  nights  before  had  run  the  rebel  batteries  at 
Vicksburg  and  Grand  Gulf  were  then  used  to  carry  troops  from  Bromly's 
plantation  to  Bruinsburg.  Among  others  the  Moderator  and  Horizon 
were  thus  used.  The  Moderator,  on  her  return  trip,  met  the  Horizon 
coming  down  the  river,  having  on  board  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
rations  and  a  full  battery  of  artillery.  "Whether  it  was  owing  to  the  fog 
or  the  carelessness  of  the  pilot  has  not  been  ascertained ;  but  somehow 
the  two  vessels  collided,  and  the  Horizon,  rations  and  battery,  sank  in 
deep  water  and  disappeared  from  mortal  vision.  Every  horse  on  board 
was  drowned.  Every  gun  lies  fathoms  deep  in  water,  rations  are  ruined, 
and  I  regret  to  add  that  two  or  three  soldiers  found  a  watery  grave.  At 
this  juncture  the  loss  is  almost  irreparable. 

But  to  describe  our  march  from  Bruinsburg : — The  road  to  Port  Gib 
son  lies  along  the  inner  side  of  the  levee  for  a  couple  of  miles,  until  it 
branches  to  the  right  and  strikes  the  bluffs  or  series  of  hills  extending  to 
Grand  Gulf  and  Vicksburg.  The  route  over  these  bluffs  differs  so 
materially  from  that  over  the  dead  levels  of  the  preceding  days,  that  we 
were  continually  finding  something  to  wonder  at  and  admire.  The 
abrupt  acclivities,  the  deep  ravines,  the  waving  corn,  the  beautiful 
flowers  and  magnificent  magnolias,  just  now  in  full  blossom,  diffusing 
most  delicious  perfumes,  and  the  long  line  of  soldiers  winding  along 
the  green  trees,  formed  a  truly  beautiful  picture.  The  harmony  of  this 
scene,  normally  so  suggestive  of  peace,  was  sadly  marred  by  the  constantly 
recurring  evidences  that  man  was  at  variance  with  his  fellow.  As  we 
approached  a  point  six  miles  from  Bruinsburg,  we  could  hear  the  more 
rapid  firing  of  cannon  and  the  sharper  rattle  of  musketry.  When  we 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  215 

arrived  within  four  miles  of  Port  Gibson  we  met  a  small  force  of  strag 
glers,  and  received  orders  to  move  forward  to  the  front. 

The  peculiar  features  of  the  region  a  little  east  of  Bruinsburg  are 
rigidly  maintained  at  Thompson's  Hills,  except  that,  if  possible,  the  hills 
are  steeper,  the  ravines  deeper,  and  ingress  much  more  difficult.  As 
we  approached  the  plantation,  whence  the  battle  takes  its  name,  we 
found  at  the  bottom  of  a  deep  ravine  a  clear  running  stream  of  water — 
a  rarity  in  this  latitude.  Ordinarily  the  streams  are  muddy  and  turbid, 
but  here  was  one  as  clear  as  crystal.  Beyond  this  stream  the  road  over 
the  hill  rises  abruptly  until  it  reaches  an  open  field,  upon  which  the 
plantation  mansion  stands.  Just  beyond  is  a  road  to  the  left  leading 
to  Grand  Gulf,  and  to  the  right  a  road  leading  south.  "We  followed  the 
latter,  and  reached  a  primitive  church  just  in  the  edge  of  a  grove  of 
magnolias,  with  an  open  lawn  in  front.  A  half  mile  beyond,  this  road 
again  forks,  the  left  leading  to  Port  Gibson  and  the  right  to  Rodney. 
Taking  this  church  as  a  centre,  and  striking  a  semicircle  towards  the 
east  whose  periphery  shall  be  everywhere  two  miles  from  the  common 
centre,  and  your  line  will  strike  a  chain  of  hills  and  valleys,  upon  which 
and  between  which  the  battle,  known  as  that  of  Thompson's  Hills,  was 
fought.  Just  beyond  these  hills  is  Port  Gibson.* 

*  Army  correspondence  under  date  of  May  3d. 


216  GENERAL    GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE   BATTLE  OF  THOMPSON'S  HILLS,  OR  PORT   GIBSON. — EVAC 
UATION    OF    GRAND    GULF. 

THE  advance  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  approached 
the  church,  spoken  of  in  the  foregoing  correspondence,  at 
about  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  first  of  May,  1803. 
This  church  was  distant  from  Brr'nsburg  about  thirteen 
miles,  and  from  Port  Gibson  about  four  miles.  As  the 
Fourteenth  Division  of  Grant's  army  drew  near  the  place, 
they  were  accosted  by  a  light  fire  of  rebel  musketry,  fol 
lowed  at  a  quick  interval  by  a  sharp  attack  with  field  artil 
lery.  The  Union  troops  were  at  once  formed  into  line  of 
battle,  and  their  batteries  replied  to  the  fire  of  the  rebels. 
After  a  short  but  brisk  engagement,  the  guns  of  the  latter 
were  silenced. 

The  Union  troops  then  withdrew  out  of  range,  and  pa 
tiently  waited  until  daylight.  At  daybreak  the  fight  was 
renewed  by  the  ordering  of  the  Ninth  Division  of  Grant's 
army  on  to  the  road  to  the  left.  The  First  Brigade,  while 
hastening  forward  to  execute  this  order,  encountered  the. 
enemy  in  force  at  about  half-past  five  in  the  morning  ;  and 
although  the  rebel  position  was  strong,  and  the  enemy 
apparently  determined  to  keep  it,  he  was  forced  to  yield 
up  possession  after  a  hard  struggle  of  over  an  hour's 
duration. 

The  Ninth  Division,  consisting  only  of  t\ro  brigades, 
pressed  forward ;  but  the  enemy  had  so  obstructed  the 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  217 

road  by  this  route,  that  it  was  soon  discovered  a  front  at 
tack  would  only  result  in  disaster.  A  flank  movement 
was  then  resolved  upon,  and  by  a  spirited  assault  upon  the 
right  carried  the  rebel  works,  captured  three  pieces  of  can 
non,  and  routed  the  enemy. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  fight  is  given 
by  an  eye-witness : 

General  McClernand's  army  corps  was  marching  in  the  direction  of 
Port  Gibson,  and  had  reached  the  ravine  and  the  running  brook  alluded 
to.  It  was  his  intention  to  encamp  on  the  opposite  hill,  but  the  enemy 
had  placed  a  three-gu*t  battery  there,  and,  as  our  advance  reached  the 
ravine,  he  began  most  persistently  to  shell  us.  His  range  was  not 
good,  and  the  guns  did  no  damage.  TTe  withdrew  out  of  range,  and 
patiently  waited  until  daylight.  At  daybreak  the  fight  was  renewed, 
first  by  the  advance  skirmishers,  and  afterwards  by  the  main  body. 
The  battery  placed  upon  the  hill  opposite  was  annoying  us,  and  two 
regiments  were  ordered  to  take  it.  Across  the  running  water  and  up 
the  steep  ascent  advanced  the  brave  soldiers,  with  bayonets  firmly  set, 
nor  faltered  a  single  step  until  the  enemy  were  driven  from  the  position 
and  their  guns  fell  into  our  hands. 

From  here  the  enemy  retired  to  the  right,  following  the  road  which 
led  past  the  church,  near  which  they  had  stationed  another  battery. 
Here  the  battle  raged  fearfully,  and  several  of  our  men  were  wounded 
and  killed.  After  the  rebels  had  left  this  point  I  'was  able  to  find, 
where  the  fight  raged  the  fiercest,  the  dead  bodies  of  twenty  men  within 
a  circuit  of  half  as  many  rods.  Driven  from  this  position  by  the  impet 
uous  attack  of  the  federal  soldiers,  the  rebel  general  sought  a  convenient 
circlet  of  hills,  and  established  his  battle  line.  His  centre  rested  on  the 
Port  Gibson  road,  with  his  right  and  left  on  the  right  and  left  of  that 
thoroughfare.  The  attack  was  first  made  with  artiDery  upon  his  centre, 
then  skirmishers  advanced,  and  the  engagement  became  general  in  that 
locality.  After  heavy  firing,  the  enemy  gave  way,  and  massed  his  forces 
on  his  left  with  the  evident  intention  of  flanking  our  right.  This  inten 
tion  was  discovered  in  season  to  avoid  it  by  a  proper  disposition  of 
our  reserves,  when  the  enemy  wheeled  over  to  his  right  and  massed  his 
forces,  making  a  most  formidable  demonstration.  The  attack  against 
this  wing  was  resisted  with  great  determination  and  with  partial  suc 
cess  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  day,  and  the  enemy  gained  several  impor- 
10 


218  GENEBAL   GRANT 

tant  positions,  from  which,  for  some  hours,  .we  tried  in  vain  to  dislodge 
him.  On  our  extreme  left  and  their  right  there  was  an  elevation,  pro 
tected  in  front  by  an  impenetrable  canebrake,  and  defended  from  flank 
approach  by  ravines,  where  the  attacking  party  would  be  forced  to  under 
go  an  enfilading  fire.  The  enemy  had  mounted  his  guns  upon  the  hill, 
and  posted  his  skirmishers  in  the  thicket  before  it.  Several  hours'  most 
strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  dislodge  them,  but  our  boys  were  unable 
to  penetrate  the  dense  thicket.  The  deadly  missiles  came  singing 
through  the  air  with  fearful  accuracy,  and  many  a  brave  soldier  was  laid 
low.  General  Osterhaus  and  a  portion  of  the  Ninth  Division  were  op 
posite.  At  length  re-enforcements  were  called  for,  and  the  First  Brigade 
of  the  Third  Division,  belonging  to  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  came 
rushing  along  the  road  towards  Grand  Gulf.  They  were  quickly  formed 
in  battle  array,  and  with  a  shout,  which  must  have  struck  terror  in  the 
hearts  of  the  enemy,  the  boys  fixed  bayonets  and  boldly  charged  the  po 
sition.  Down  upon  their  hands  and  knees,  they  worked  their  way  through 
the  young  cane,  and  mercilessly  slaughtered  all  who  did  not  yield. 
One  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  taken  prisoners  in  this  glorious  charge, 
and  scores  of  rebels  were  killed  and  wounded.  They  gained  the  other 
side  of  the  thicket,  and  picked  off  the  men  and  horses  serving  the  rebel 
battery.  The  Union  batteries  finished  the  good  work,  and  the  position 
and  guns  fell  into  our  hands. 

Beaten  at  every  point,  losing  one  hundred  and  fifty  killed,  three  hun 
dred  wounded,  and  more  than  five  hundred  prisoners,  the  enemy  sul 
lenly  and  rapidly  retreated  to  Port  Gibson,  harassed  in  his  flight  by  vol 
leys  of  musketry  and  the  most  strenuous  efforts  of  our  artillery. 

Without  difficulty  they  reached  Port  Gibson,  blowing  up,  when  near 
the  village,  a  caisson  filled  with  shot,  shell,  and  powder. 

Night  was  wrapping  her  sable  mantle  over  hill  and  valley,  and  the 
silver  moon  shone  out  clear  and  bright,  casting  a  flood  of  beautiful  light 
over  friend  and  foe,  when  the  order  was  given  to  cease  pursuit.  We 
rested  on  the  battle-field,  wearied  and  exhausted,  and  soon  deep  silence 
reigned  supreme  where  Mars  so  recently  held  high  carnival.* 

The  commander  of  the  corps,  in  his  official  report  of  this 
engagement,  states  that  during  the  heat  of  the  battle,  "  Ma- 
jor-General  Grant  came  up  from  Bruinsburg,  and  soon 
after  he  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him  on  the  field." 

*  New  York  Herald  correspondence,  May  3d. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  219 

It  also  appears  from  the  official  reports,  that  the  second 
position  taken  by  the  enemy  was  much  stronger  than  the 
first,  being  located  in  a  creek  bottom,  covered  with  trees 
and  underbrush,  the  approach  to  which  was  over  open 
fields,  and  ragged  and  .exposed  hill-slopes. 

At  break  of  day  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  May  2d, 
the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  triumphantly  entered  Port 
Gibson,  through  which  place,  and  across  the  south  branch 
of  the  Bayou  Pierre,  the  enemy  had  hastily  fled  the  night 
before,  burning  the  bridge  across  that  stream  in  his  rear. 
This  bridge  was  even  burning  when  the  advance  entered 
Port  G  ibson,  and  it  was  necessary  to  remain  a  few  hours  in 
that  village,  until  a  floating  bridge  could  be  constructed. 

While  this  bridge  was  being  built,  the  rebels  appeared 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Bayou  Pierre,  both  above  and 
below  the  town,  and  a  desultory  fire  ensued  between  the 
belligerents,  without  any  material  damage  to  either  side. 
Is  the  afternoon  the  bridge  was  completed,  and  the  advance 
crossed  over. 

Three  miles  beyond  Port  Gibson,  on  the  Raymond  road, 
the  Union  Army  came  across  two  large  piles  of  bacon,  be 
longing  to  the  rebel  army,  and  at  least  of  fifty  thousand 
pounds  weight.  The  army  next  came  upon  the  upper 
causeway  across  the  Bayou  Pierre,  which  being  a  substan 
tial  iron  suspension  bridge,  the  rebels  had  not  time  to  com 
pletely  destroy,  although  they  left  behind  them  evidences 
of  their  attempts  at  its  destruction. 

This  bridge  repaired,  the  Union  army  passed  over  it, 
and  came  to  the  cross-roads  near  the  site*  of  an  old  town 
which  once  rejoiced  in  the  name  of  Willow  Springs.  As 
the  army  was  proceeding  leisurely  along  the  road,  a  battery 
opened  upon  them  with  shell  at  short  range,  causing  a  few 
casualties.  The  advance  was  next  drawn  up  in  line  of  bat 
tle,  and  moved  slowly  forward  until  the  rebel  position  was 


220  GENERAL   GRANT 

attained.  The  enemy,  however,  then  soon  retired  with 
unusual  haste. 

The  advance  of  the  Union  army  then  pushed  on  to  the 
bank  of  the-  Big  Black  River,  where  it  arrived  shortly*be- 
fore  dark,  and  was  received  with  a  ^harp  fire  of  musketry. 
Lines  of •  skirmishers  were  quickly  formed,  and  the  rebel 
troops  driven  across  the  river.  Their  rearguard  attempted 
to  destroy  the  pontoon  bridge ;  but  in  this  design  they 
were  frustrated  by  the  rapid  movements  of  the  sharp 
shooters  of  the  Union  army.  After  exchanging  a  few 
shell  and  shot,  all  was  quiet  for  a  time. 

This  part  of  the  army  was  seven  miles  beyond  Grand 
Gulf,  and  within  eighteen  miles  of  Yicksburg.  While 
passing  through  a  deep  ravine  to  reach  the  above  position, 
the  Union  troops  met  a  strong  line  of  rebel  skirmishers, 
and,  after  an  engagement  of  about  two  hours,  the  latter  re 
tired,  closely  followed  by  the  Unionists.  Several  prisoners 
were  taken,  from  whom  it  was  ascertained  that  Grand  Gulf 
had  been  evacuated  and  the  rebel  magazine  blown  up.  This 
was  owing  to  two  causes  ;  first,  the  flanking  of  the  position 
by  General  Grant,  and  secondly,  the  severe  bombardment 
it  received  at  the  hands  of  Admiral  Porter. 

Finding  that  Grand  Gulf  had  been  evacuated,  and  that 
the  advance  of  the  Union  forces  was  already  fifteen  miles  on 
the  road  they  would  have  to  take  to  reach  either  Yicksburg, 
Jackson,  or  any  point  of  the  railroad  between  those  cities, 
General  Grant  determined  not  to  stop  the  troops  in  their  vic 
torious  course,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  himself  with  an 
escort  due  to  his  rank,  but  took  with  him  some  fifteen  men, 
and  proceeded  in  person  to  the  evacuated  position,  where 
he  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for  changing  his  base 
of  supplies  from  Bruinsburg  to  Grand  Gulf. 

From  this  point  General  Grant  telegraphed  to  the  Gov 
ernment  the  complete  success  of  the  first  part  of  his 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  221 

movement.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  document  was  worded 
in  the  most  modest  manner,  considering  the  value  of  the 
work  accomplished,  and  was  as  follows : 

GRAND  GULP,  Miss.,  May  3,  1863. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  Gencral-in-  Chief: 

We  landed  at  Bruinsburg  April  30th,  moved  immediately  on  Port 
Gibson,  met  the  enemy,  11,000  strong,  four  miles  south  of  Port  Gibson 
at  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  1st  hist,  and  engaged  him  all  day,  entirely 
routing  him,  with  the  loss  of  many  killed,  and  about  500  prisoners, 
besides  the  wounded.  Our  loss  is  about  100  killed  and  500  wounded. 

The  enemy  retreated  towards  Vicksburg,  destroying  the  bridges  over 
the  two  forks  of  the  Bayou  Pierre.  These  were  rebuilt,  and  the  pursuit 
has  continued  until  the  present  time. 

Besides  the  heavy  artillery  at  the  place,  four  field-pieces  were  captured, 
and  some  stores,  and  the  enemy  were  driven  to  destroy  many  more. 

The  country  is  the  most  broken  and  difficult  to  operate  in  I  ever  saw. 

Our  victory  has  been  most  complete,  and  the  enemy  is  thoroughly 
demoralized.  Very  respectfully, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  Commanding. 

Governor  Yates,  of  Illinois,  who  was  on  a  visit  to  the 
army  at  the  time  of  the  movement,  and  had  necessarily  to 
participate  therein,  telegraphed  at  the  same  time  to  the 
officials  at  his  State  Capital,  as  follows  : 

GRAND  GULF,  Miss.,  May  3,  1863. 

"We  gained  a  glorious  victory  at  Port  Gibson,  on  the  1st  instant. 

The  enemy  are  in  full  retreat.  Our  forces  are  in  close  pursuit.  The 
Illinois  troops,  as  usual,  behaved  with  the  greatest  gallantry.  The  loss 
on  our  side  is  150  killed  and  500  wounded. 

We  have  taken  1,000  prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  much  greater  than  ours.  RICHARD  YATES. 

On  the  same  night  that  Grand  Gulf  had  been  taken  pos 
session  of,  several  barges,  loaded  with  stores,  were  sent 
down  past  the  Vicksburg  batteries.  The  firing  was  very 
heavy  upon  some  of  them,  and  a  shell  bursting  in  the  midst 
of  a  quantity  of  cotton  and  hay,  destroyed  the  vessels,  and 


222  GENERAL   GRANT 

compelled  those  on  board  to  surrender.     The  following  is 
the  rebel  official  dispatch  of  the  occurrence : 

VICKSBUBG,  May  4,  1863. 
To  General  S.  COOPER:  / 

Last  night  two  large  barges,  heavily  laden  with  hospital  and  commis 
sary  stores,  with  a  small  tug  between  them,  attempted  to  pass  here. 
They  were  burned  to  the  water's  edge,  and  twenty-four  prisoners  taken 
from  them,  among  whom  are  one  correspondent  of  the  New  York  World, 
two  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  and  one  of  the  Cincinnati  Times.* 

J.  C.  PEMBBRTON,  Lieut.- Gen.  Commanding. 

The  day  after  the  occupation  of  Grand  Gulf,  Governor 
Yates  sent  the  following  report  of  the  operations  of  the  few 
preceding  days : 

GRAND  GULF,  Miss.,  May  4,  1863. 

Our  arms  are  gloriously  triumphant.  We  have  succeeded  in  winning  a 
victory  which,  in  its  results,  must  be  the  most  important  of  the  war.  The 
battle  of  May  1st  lasted  from  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  night, 
during  all  which  time  the  enemy  was  driven  back  on  the  right,  left,  and 
centre.  All  day  yesterday  our  army  was  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels,  they 
giving  us  battle  at  almost  every  defensible  point,  and  fighting  with 
desperate  valor.  Last  night  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  was  driven  across 
Black  River,  and  General  McClernand  was  driving  another  large  force  in 
the  direction  of  "Willow  Springs.  About  two  o'clock  yesterday  I  left 
General  Logan,  with  his  division,  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  to  join  General 
Grant  at  Grand  Gulf,  which  the  enemy  had  evacuated  in  the  morning, 
first  blowing  up  their  magazines,  spiking  their  cannon,  destroying  tents, 
etc.  On  my  way  to  Grand  Gulf  I  saw  guns  scattered  all  along  the  road, 
which  the  enemy  had  left  in  their  retreat.  The  rebels  were  scattered 
through  the  woods  in  every  direction.  This  army  of  the  rebels  was  con 
sidered,  as  I  now  karn,  invincible;  but  it  quailed  before  the  irresistible  assaults 
of  Northwestern  valor. 

I  consider  Yicksburg  as  ours  in  a  short  time,  and  the  Mississippi  River 
as  destined  to  be  open  from  its  source  to  its  mouth. 

I  have  been  side  by  side  with  our  boys  in  battle,  and  can  bear  witness 
to  the  unfaltering  courage  and  prowess  of  our  brave  Illinoisans. 

RICHARD  YATES,   Governor. 

*  Some  of  the  unfortunate  correspondents  were  in  Libby  Prison  at  the 
•jommencement  of  1864. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  223 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

OUTSIDE    OPERATIONS. 

GENERAL  GRANT,  in  order  to  deceive  the  rebel  authori 
ties  at  Richmond,  Chattanooga,  and  elsewhere,  as  to  the 
precise  direction  from  which  he  intended  to  strike  at  Vicks- 
burg,  and  also  to  prevent  heavy  re-enforcements  from  being 
sent  to  Grand  Gulf  from  that  place,  ordered  some  very 
excellent  feints  to  be  made  in  all  directions. 

Among  others,  General  Grant  ordered  Colonel  Corwyn, 
with  his  Cavalry  Brigade,  to  go  down  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  on  the  east  of  his  line  of  operations,  and  threaten 
an  attack  upon  all  the  rebel  posts  along  that  road.  On 
the  6th  of  May  a  fight  took  place  between  the  Union 
cavalry  and  the  rebel  forces  under  General  Ruggles,  at 
Tupello,  a  railroad  station  in  Itawamba  county,  Missis 
sippi,  and,  after  a  half-hour's  conflict,  the  rebels  retreated 
in  disorder,  leaving  behind  them  their  arms,  equipments, 
and  ninety  of  their  men  prisoners. 

On  the  north  General  Grant  ordered  a  still  more  valua 
ble  feint.  In  moving  from  Milliken's  Bend,  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps  had  been  set  apart  to  bring  up  the  rear,  and, 
consequently,  under  that  order,  it  was  to  be  the  last  to 
start  upon  the  southern  march.  General  Sherman,  com 
manding  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  had  made  every  preparation 
to  move  by  April  26th,  1863,  on  which  day  he  received  a 
letter  from  General  Grant,  who  was  then  near  New  Car 
thage,  ordering  him  to  delay  his  march,  in  consequence  of 


224  GENERAL    GKANT 

the  state  of  the  roads,  until  the  system  of  canals,  then  in 
process  of  construction,  could  be  completed.* 

On  the  28th  of  April,  General  Sherman  received  a  letter 
in  cipher,  fixing  the  time  when  General  Grant  proposed  to 
attack  Grand  6lulf,  and  stating  that  a  simultaneous  feint 
on  the  enemy's  batteries  near  Haines  Bluff,  on  the  Yazoo 
River,  would  be  most  desirable,  provided  it  could  be  done 
without  the  ill  effect  on  the  army  and  the  country  of  an 
appearance  of  a  repulse.  Knowing  full  well  that  the  army 
could  distinguish  a  feint  from  a  real  attack,  by  succeeding 
events,  General  Sherman  made  the  necessary  orders,  em 
barked  the  Second  Division  on  ten  steam  transports,  and 
sailed  for  the  Yazoo  River. 

At  about  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  April  29th,  Gen 
eral  Sherman  with  this  force  proceeded  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Yazoo  River,  where  he  found  several  vessels  of  the  fleet, 
ready  to  co-operate  with  the  feigned  movement.  This 
fact  alone  proves  how  well  General  Grant  and  Admiral 
Porter  had  agreed  upon  the  plan  of  operations,  and  how 
they  worked  in  harmony  together ;  neither  one  being  jeal 
ous  of  the  other's  fame,  but  both  being  ready  to  do  battle 
in  their  country's  service,  and  for  the  common  cause. 

The  united  forces  then  proceeded  at  once  up  the  Yazoo 
River,  in  proper  order,  and  lay  for  the  night  of  April  29th 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Chickasaw  Bayou.  The  next  morning, 
at  an  early  hour,  the  fleet  proceeded  up  within  easy  range 
of  the  enemy's  batteries.  The  gunboats  at  once  made  an 
attack  upon  the  works,  and  for  four  hours  a  very  pretty 
demonstration  was  kept  up.  The  vessels  were  then  called 
out  of  range,  and  toward  evening  General  Sherman  dis 
embarked  his  troops,  in  full  view  of  the  enemy r,  making 

*  If  this  document  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  no  idea 
could  have  been  obtained  of  the  true  motive  of  the  delay. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  225 

preparations  as  if  to  assault  the  works.  As  soon  as  the  land 
ing  was  effected  the  gunboats  reopened  their  fire  upon  the 
rebel  defences. 

The  perceptible  activity  of  the  enemy,  in  moving  the 
guns,  artillery,  and  infantry,  gave  evidence  that  they  ex 
pected  a  real  attack  ;  and  keeping  up  a  show  of  this  intent 
until  dark,  General  Sherman  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
the  full  object  of  his  ruse.  At  night  the  troops  re-embark 
ed  ;  but  during  the  whole  of  the  next  day  similar  move 
ments  were  made,  accompanied  by  reconnoissances  of  all 
the  country  on  both  sides  of  the  Yazoo  River.  While 
thus  engaged,  General  Sherman  received  instructions  from 
General  Grant  to  hasten  and  rejoin  him  at  Grand  Gulf. 

The  two  divisions  of  General  Sherman's  Corps,  that  had 
remained  at  Milliken's  Bend,  were  at  once  ordered  to 
march,  and  to  join  General  Grant  by  way  of  Richmond, 
Louisiana,  while  General  Sherman,  at  the  head  of  the  Sec 
ond  Division,  kept  up  his  feint  on  the  Yazoo  River  until 
night.  General  Sherman  then  quietly  dropped  back  to  his 
camp  at  Young's  Point,  when  the  whole  corps,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  one  division  left  behind  as  a  garrison,  marched  to 
Hard  Times,  four  miles  above  Grand  Gulf,  on  the  Louisiana 
shore,  where  it  arrived  on  the  morning  of  May  6th,  after 
travelling  sixty-three  miles  on  foot.  During  the  night  of 
the  6th,  and  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  forces  were  ferried 
over  the  river,  and  on  the  8th  commenced  their  march  into 
the  interior. 

It  appears  also  that  a  junction  was  to  have  been  formed 
between  the  forces  under  General  Grant  and  those  under 
General  Banks,  but,  in  consequence  of  the  position  of  the 
troops  under  the  latter  general,  this  movement  was  found  to 
require  a  much  greater  delay  and  loss  of  time  than  General 
Grant  could,  under  the  circumstances,  have  afforded,  as  will 
be  seen  from  the  following  extract  from  his  official  report : 
10* 


226  GENERAL   GRANT 

About  this  time  (May  4th),  I  received  a  letter  from  General  Banks, 
giving  his  position  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and  stating  that  he 
could  return  to  Baton  Rouge  by  the  10th  of  May;  that  by  the  reduction 
of  Port  Hudson  he  could  join  me  with  twelve  thousand  men. 

I  learned  about  the  same  time,  that  troops  were  expected  at  Jack 
son  from  the  southern  cities,  with  General  Beauregard  in  command. 
To  delay  until  the  10th  of  May,  and  for  the  reduction  of  Port  Hudson 
after  that,  the  accession  of  twelve  thousand  men  would  not  leave  me 
relatively  so  strong  as  to  move  promptly  with  what  I  had.  Information 
received,  from  day  to  day,  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  also  impel 
led  me  to  the  course  I  pursued. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS. 


CHAPTER  XXXH. 

THE   ADVANCE   TOWARDS  JACKSON. — BATTLE   OF   RAYMOND. 

THE  army  had,  as  before  stated,  advanced  in  light 
marching  order,  up  to  the  occupation  of  Grand  Gulf,  after 
which  it  became  necessary  that  trains  should  follow,  as  the 
three  days  rations  set  apart  for  each  man  at  starting,  had 
by  this  time  been  consumed.  This  naturally  led  to  a  short 
delay;  but  no  longer  time  was  occupied  than  was  actually 
necessary.  General  Grant  personally  superintended  the 
landing  and  distribution  of  the  supplies,  with  the  full  de 
termination  that  his  campaign  should  not  fail 'through  any 
dereliction  of  duty  on  the  part  of  his  quartermasters  or 
commissaries.  In  this  he  manifested  one  of  the  traits  of 
a  good  soldier ;  as  it  is  not  merely  essential  to  put  an  army 
into  the  field  to  secure  victory,  bat  it  is  also  superlatively 
necessary,  to  insure  the  same  result,  that  the  army  shall  be 
properly  fed,  clothed,  and  sheltered,  from  the  commence 
ment  to  the  close  of  the  campaign.  It  is  this  forethought 
and  care  for  the  soldiers,  that  has  secured  for  General 
Grant  the  love  and  veneration  of  every  man  under  his 
command. 

Having  secured  a  sufficient  amount  of  supplies  to  last 
him  for  a  certain  time,  and  having  made  arrangements  for 
others  to  follow,  General  Grant  removed  his  head-quarters, 
on  the  morning  of  May  7th,  to  Hawkinson's  Ferry,  on  the 
Black  River,  leaving  General  Sherman's  forces  to  garrison 
Grand  Gulf  for  the  few  hours  it  was  necessary  to  hold  it, 
during  the  landing  of  the  remainder  of  the  supplies. 


228  GENERAL   GRANT 

While  lying  at  Hawkinson's  Ferry,  waiting  for  the  wag 
ons,  supplies,  and  Sherman's  Corps  to  come  up,  demonstra 
tions  were  made  to  induce  the  enemy  to  believe,  that  the 
routes  to  Vicksburg  by  that  ferry  and  the  one  by  Kail's 
Ferry,  which  was  a  short  distance  higher  up  the  river, 
were  very  desirable  to  General  Grant.  To  impress  this 
idea  still  further  upon  the  minds  of  the  rebel  generals, 
reconnoitring  parties  were  sent  out  along  the  roads,  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Big  Black  River,  to  within  six  miles 
of  Warrenton.  The  artifice  was  completely  successful. 

In  the  mean  time,  all  Mississippi  was  called  to  arms  to 
resist  the  advance  of  General  Grant.  The  following  pro 
clamation  of  the  Governor  of  the  State,  will  show  the 
anxious  feeling  that  existed  in  the  hearts  of  the  State 
authorities : 

EXECUTIVE  OFFICE, 
JACKSON,  Miss.,  May  5,  1863. 

To  the  People  of  Mississippi : 

Recent  events,  familiar  to  you  all,  impel  me,  as  your  Chief  Magis 
trate,  to  appeal  to  your  patriotism  for  united  effort  in  expelling  our  ene 
mies  from  the  soil  of  Mississippi.  It  can  and  must  be  done.  Let  no  man 
capable  of  bearing  arms  withhold  from  his  State  his  services  in  repelling 
the  invasion.  Duty,  interest,  our  common  safety,  demand  every  sacri 
fice  necessary  for  the  protection  of  our  homes,  our  honor,  liberty  itself. 

The  exalted  position  won  in  her  name  upon  every  battle-field  where 
Mississippi's  sons  have  unfurled  her  proud  banner,  and  hurled  defiance 
in  the  face  of  overwhelming  numbers,  forbids  that  her  honor,  the  chiv 
alry  of  her  people,  the  glory  of  her  daring  deeds  on  foreign  field?, 
should  be  tarnished  and  her  streaming  battle  flag  dragged  to  the  dust 
by  barbarian  hordes  on  her  own  soil. 

Awake,  then — arouse,  Mississippians,  young  and  old,  from  your  fer 
tile  plains,  your  beautiful  towns  and  cities,  your  once  quiet  and  happy 
but  now  desecrated  homes,  come  and  join  your  brothers  in  arms,  your 
sons  and  neighbors,  who  are,  now  baring  their  bosoms  to  the  storm  of 
battle,  at  your  very  doors,  and  in  defence  of  all  you  hold  dear. 

Meet  in  every  county  with  your  arms ;  organize  companies  of  not  less 
than  twenty  (under  the  late  act  of  Congress),  forward  your  muster 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  229 

rolls  to  this  office,  and  you  will  be  received  into  the  service  with  all  the 
protection  and  rights  belonging  to  other  soldiers  in  the  field. 

Ammunition  will  be  furnished  you,  and  every  aid  in  my  power  ex 
tended  to  you  for  your  security  and  efficiency. 

Fathers,  brothers,  Mississippians — while  your  sons  and  kindred  arc 
bravely  fighting  your  battles  on  other  fields,  and  shedding  new  lustre  on  your 
name,  the  burning  disgrace  of  successful  invasion  of  their  homes,  of  insult 
and  injury  to  their  wives,  mothers,  and  sisters,  of  rapine  and  ruin,  with 
God's  help  and  by  your  assistance,  shall  never  be  written  while  a  Hississip- 
pian  lives  to  feel  in  his  proud  heart  the  scorching  degradation. 

Every  moment's  inaction  and  delay  but  strengthens  your  enemy  and 
weakens  your  brothers  in  arms.  Let  every  man,  then,  make  it  his 
business,  laying  all  else  aside,  to  assist  in  organizing  as  many  com 
panies  as  can  be  raised  in  each  county,  and  report  immediately  to  this 
office  for  orders.  By  this  course  you  will  enable  our  arms  in  a  short 
time  to  repel  the  invader,  secure  the  safety  of  your  homes,  and  shed 
imperishable  honor  on  your  cause.  You  will  not  be  without  assistance. 
Let  no  man  forego  the  proud  distinction  of  being  one  of  his  country's  de 
fenders,  or  hereafter  wear  the  disgraceful  badge  of  the  dastardly  traitor  who 
refused  to  defend  his  home  and  his  country. 

JOHN  J.  PETTUS,   Governor  of  Mississippi. 

General  Grant's  plans  had  been  too  carefully  studied  and 
followed  out,  to  be  thwarted  by  any  suddenly  improvised 
forces  that  the  Governor  could  then  raise. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  May,  a  general  advance 
was  ordered  by  General  Grant.  The  Thirteenth  Army 
Corps  was  directed  to  move  along  the  ridge  road  from 
on  Springs ;  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  was  to 
keep  the  road  nearest  the  Black  River  to  Rocky  Springs  ; 
and  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  was  to  divide  in  two  parts 
and  follow.  All  the  ferries  were  closely  guarded  until  the 
troops  were  well  advanced,  to  prevent  surprise  on  the 
flanks,  and  also  to  mislead  the  enemy  as  to  the  intention 
of  the  movement. 

Before  the  troops  were  started  on  this  march,  the  fol 
lowing  congratulatory  order  was  read  at  the  head  of  every 
regiment : 


230  GENERAL  GRANT 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  IN  THE  FIELD, 

HAWKINSON'S  FERRY,  May  1th. 
Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  Tennessee : 

Once  more  I  thank  you  for  adding  another  victory  to  the  long  list  of 
those  previously  won  by  your  valor  and  endurance.  The  triumph  gained 
over  the  enemy  near  Port  Gibson,  on  the  1st,  was  one  of  the  most  important 
of  the  war.  The  capture  of  five 'cannon  and  more  than  one  thousand 
prisoners,  the  possession  of  Grand  Gulf,  and  a  firm  foothold  on  the 
highlands  between  the  Big  Black  and  Bayou  Pierre,  from  whence  we 
threaten  the  whole  line  of  the  enemy,  are  among  the  fruits  of  this  bril 
liant  achievement. 

The  march  from  Millikerfs  Bend  to  the  point  opposite  Grand  Gulf  was 
made  in  stormy  weather,  over  the  worst  of  roads.  Bridges  and  ferries  had 
to  be  constructed.  Moving  by  night  as  well  as  by  day,  with  labor  incessant, 
and  extraordinary  privations  endured  by  men  and  officers,  such  as  have 
been  rarely  paralleled  in  any  campaign,  not  a  murmur  of  complaint  has 
been  uttered.  A  few  days  continuance  of  the  same  zeal  and  constancy 
will  secure  to  this  army  crowning  victories  over  the  rebellion. 

More  difficulties  and  privations  are  before  us;  let  us  endure  them 
manfully.  Other  battles  are  to  be  fought ;  let  us  fight  them  bravely. 
A  grateful  country  will  rejoice  at  our  success,  and  history  will  record  it  with 
immortal  honor.  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General  Commanding. 

It  appears  from  General  Grant's  official  report  of  the 
Vicksbnrg  Campaign,  that  it  had  been  his  intention,  while 
at  Hawkinson's  Ferry,  to  have  moved  the  Thirteenth  and 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps  in  such  a  manner  as  to  hug  the 
Black  River  as  closely  as  possible,  in  order  that  they 
might  be  able  to  strike  the  Jackson  and  Yicksburg  Rail 
road  at  some  point  between  Edwards's  Station  and  Bolton. 
The  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  was  to  move  by  way  of 
Utica  to  Raymond,  thence  to  Jackson,  at  which  place,  and 
in  its  vicinity,  it  was  intended  that  the  railroad,  telegraph, 
public  stores,  etc.,  should  be  destroyed,  after  which  the 
corps  was  to  move  west  and  rejoin  the  main  army. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  primary  movements 
of  the  army,  by  one  who  took  part  in  its  operations  from 
its  organization  to  the  capitulation  of  Vicksburg : 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  231 

On  Thursday,  the  7th  of  May,  General  McPherson,  commanding  the 
Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  moved  his  troops  to  Rocky  Springs,  and  his 
camp  was  occupied  next  day  by  General  Sherman,  with  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps.  On  Saturday,  the  9th,  General  McPherson  again  moved 
to  the  eastward,  to  the  village  of  Utica,  crossing  the  road  occupied  by 
the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  under  General  McClernand,  and  leaving  tho 
latter  on  his  left.  On  Sunday  morning,  the  10th,  General  McClernand 
marched  to  Five  Mile  Creek,  and  encamped  on  the  south  bank  at  noon, 
on  account  of  broken  bridges,  which  were  repaired  the  same  day.  On 
Monday  morning,  the  llth,  General  Sherman's  Corps  came  up,  passed. 
General  McClernand's,  and  encamped  that  night  at  the  village  of 
Auburn,  about  ten  miles  south  of  Edwards's  Station,  which  is  on  a  portion 
of  the  railroad  from  Vicksburg  to  Jackson.  As  soon  as  it  passed, 
General  McClernand's  corps  followed  a  few  miles,  and  then  took  a  road 
going  obliquely  to  the  left,  leading  to  Hall's  Ferry,  on  the  Big  Black 
River.  Thus  on  Monday  evening,  May  llth,  General  McClernand  was 
at  Hall's  Ferry ;  General  Sherman  was  at  Auburn,  six  or  eight  miles 
to  the  northeast,  and  General  McPherson  was  about  eight  miles  still 
further  to  the  northeast,  a  few  miles  north  of  Utica.  The  whole  formed 
an  immense  line  of  battle ;  Sherman's  Corps  being  in  the  centre,  with 
those  of  McPherson  and  McClernand  forming  the  right  and  left  wings. 
It  will  be  observed,  also,  that  a  change  of  front  had  been  effected.  From 
Grand  Gulf  the  army  marched  eastward ;  but,  by  these  last  movements, 
it  had  swung  on  the  left  as  a  pivot,  and  fronted  nearly  northward. 

Up  to  this  the  enemy  had  not  appeared  on  our  line  of  march.  On 
Tuesday  morning,  May  1 2th,  General  McClernand's  advance  drove  in  the 
enemy's  pickets  near  Hall's  Ferry,  and  brisk  skirmishing  ensued  for  an 
hour  or  two,  with  little  loss  to  either  side.  By  noon  the  rebels  had 
disappeared  from  his  front,  and  seven  wounded  and  none  killed  was 
the  total  Union  loss.  General  Sherman  put  Steele's  Division  in  motion 
early  in  the  morning,  and  came  upon  the  enemy  at  the  crossing  of 
Fourteen  Mile  creek,  four  miles  from  Auburn.  The  cavalry  advance 
was  fired  into  from  the  thick  woods  that  skirt  the  stream,  and  was 
unable,  owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  to  make  a  charge  or  clear 
the  rebels  from  their  position.  A  battery  was  taken  to  the  front, 
supported  by  the  two  infantry  regiments,  and  threw  a  few  shell  into 
the  bushy  undergrowth  skirting  the  stream  which  gave  them  cover. 
Skirmishers  was  thrown  out  and  advanced  to  the  creek,  driving  the 
enemy  slowly.  A  brigade  was  thrown  to  the  right  and  left  flanks, 


232  GENERAL    GRANT 

when  the  rebel  forces,  mainly  cavalry,  withdrew  towards  Raymond. 
The  bridge  was  burned  during  the  skirmish  f  but  a  crossing  was  con 
structed  in  two  hours,  and  trains  were  passing  before  noon.* 

General  Grant  was  not  behind  his  troops  ;  but  as  they 
advanced,  he  continually  changed  his  head-quarters  and  his 
line  -of  communications,  keeping  with  the  centre  of  the 
army  for  the  purpose  of  better  directing  the  movements 
of  his  three  columns. 

When  he  had  advanced  far  enough  into  the  field  to  be 
sure  of  his  position,  he  sent  the  following  telegraphic 
message  to  the  government  at  Washington  : 

IN  THE  FIELD,  May  11,  1863. 
To  Major-General  HALLECK,  Generalrin-  Chief: 

My  force  will  be  this  evening  as  far  advanced  along  Fourteen  Mile 
Creek,  the  left  near  Black  River,  and  extending  in  a  line  nearly  east 
and  west,  as  they  can  get  without  bringing  on  a  general  engagement. 

/  shall  communicate  with    Grand   Gulf  no  more,   except  it  becomes 
necessary  to  send  a  train  with  a  heavy  escort. 
You  may  not  hear  from  me  again  for  several  days. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 

The  foregoing  dispatch  plainly  sets  forth  that  General 
Grant  in  his  plans  had  intended  to  cut  an  opening  through 
the  enemy's  lines,  and  communicate  with  the  General-in- 
chief  by  a  more  northern  route.  When  the  dispatch  was 
sent  from  General  Grant,  he  plainly  foresaw  the  success 
of  this  plan,  and  as  he  personally  superintended  all  the 
movements  of  his  army,  and  had  not  to  depend  upon  any 
other  outside  co-operation  than  that  of  the  fleet,  he  doubt 
less  felt  sure  he  could  not  fail  through  any  lack  of  proper 
combination  at  the  right  time.  He  also,  by  breaking  up 
this  line  of  communication  by  way  of  Grand  Gulf,  pre 
vented  the  enemy  from  cutting  off  his  supplies,  and  he 

*  Army  correspondence  of  the  N-w  York  Herald,. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  233 

had  taken  the  precaution  to  have  with  him  all  that  was 
needed  until  he  was'-teady  to  open  up  the  new  line  by  the 
Yazoo. 

The  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  moved  forward  on  the  Ed 
wards  Station  road,  and  crossed  the  Fourteen  Mile  Creek 
at  Dillon's  plantation.  The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  cross 
ed  the  same  Creek,  some  short  distance  further  west, 
making  a  demonstration  along  the  road  towards  Bald 
win's  Ferry,  as  if  to  advance  upon  Vicksburg  or  War- 
renton  by  that  route. 

While  crossing  the  Fourteen  Mile  Creek,  both  corps  had 
to  skirmish  considerably  with  the  enemy  in  order  to  gain 
possession  of  the  right  of  way ;  but  under  the  persistent 
attacks  of  the  determined  Union  troops,  the  rebels  had  to 
give  way,  and  the  Union  army  moved  towards  the  railroad 
in  splendid  order. 

In  the  meantime  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  was 
steadily  advancing  upon  Raymond,  but  met  with  no  small 
opposition  from  the  rebels,  who  were  stationed  in  two 
brigades  under  Generals  Gregg  and  Walker,  at  a  point  of 
the  road  about  two  miles  southwest  of  that  village.  Gen 
eral  Logan's  Division  came  upon  the  rebel  troops,  estimated 
at  about  ten  thousand,  posted  on  Fondren's  Creek,  at  ten 
o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  May  12th,  and  brisk  skirmish 
ing  began  at  once,  followed  by  a  general  engagement.  The 
enemy  (as  in  front  of  General  Sherman)  was  almost  wholly 
concealed  at  first  by  the  woods  bordering  the  stream, 
behind  which  their  forces  were  posted.  Their  artillery 
was  on  an  eminence  that  commanded  the  approach,  and  the 
Union  troops  had  to  cross  an  open  field,  exposed  to  a  ter 
rible  fire.  The  First  and  Second  Brigades  were  in  the 
thickest  of  the  contest,  and  suffered  most.  After  three 
hours'  hard  fighting,  the  enemy  withdrew  sullenly  in  two 
columns,  the  principal  one  taking  the  road  to  Jackson. 


234  GENEBAL   GRANT 

General  Grant,  in  his  report  of  this  action,  states  that  the 
fighting  was  very  hard  ;  that  the  enem^  were  driven,  with 
heavy  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners;  and  that 
many  of  the  rebels  threw  down  their  arms  and  deserted 
their  cause. 

When  General  Grant  discovered  that  the  enemy  had  re 
treated  from  Raymond  to  Jackson,  he,  on  the  night  of 
May  12th,  diverted  the  Thirteenth  and  Fifteenth  Army 
Corps  from  their  intended  route,  and  ordered  them  both  to 
move  towards  Raymond,  at  which  place  he  established  his 
head-quarters  on  the  evening  of  May  13th. 

The  next  day  General  Grant  sent  the  following  dispatch 
by  way  of  Memphis  : 

RAYMOND,  Miss.,  May  14,  1863. 

Major-General  HALLECZ,  Gencral-in-Ciiief  ': 

McPherson  took  this  place  on  the  12th  inst,  after  a  brisk  fight  of  more 
than  two  hours. 

Our  loss  was  fifty  -one  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded. 
The  enemy's  loss  was  seventy-five  killed  (buried  by  us)  and  one  hundred 
and  eighty-six  prisoners  captured,  besides  the  wounded. 

McPherson  is  now  at  Clinton.  General  Sherman  is  on  the  direct  Jack 
son  road,  and  General  McClernand  is  bringing  up  the  rear. 

I  will  fifctack  the  State  capital  to-day. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General. 

The  commander  at  Memphis,  before  receiviug  the  above 
dispatch  from  General  Grant,  sent  the  following  to  Wash 
iogton  : 


MEMPHIS,  TETK.,  May  17,  1863. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  General>in-  Chief  : 

Papers  of  the  14th  from  Vicksburg  and  Jackson  report  that  Grant  de 
feated  Gregg's  Brigade  at  Raymond,  on  Tuesday,  the  12th,  The  rebel 
loss  is  admitted  in  the  papers  at  seven  hundred. 

The  next  day  Gregg  was  re-enforced  by  General  "W.  H.  T.  Walker,  of 
Georgia,  when  he  was  attacked  at  Mississippi  Spring,  and  driven  toward 
Jackson  on  Thursday. 


A3TD   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  235 

General  Joseph  Johnston  arrived  at  Jackson  on  the  13th,  and  went 
out  toward  Ticksburg  wftfc  three  brigades. 

The  force  which  General  Grant  fought,  viz^  Gregg's  Brigade,  was 
from  Port  Hudson,  while  Walker's  was  from  Jordant 
m9^*a&*1arm*mfrjito*^*<amrtfyQ»nJbtifi*- 
to  mount  their  troops, 
thenflroad. 

a  A.  HUKLBCT, 


236  GENERAL   GEANT 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

THE  CAPTURE  AND  OCCUPATION  OF  JACKSON. 

THE  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  had  moved  up  to  Clinton, 
on  the  Jackson  and  Yicksburg  Railroad,  during  the  pre 
vious  day,  May  13th,  so  as  to  be  able  to  make  the  movement 
along  that  railroad  to  Jackson,  simultaneously  with  that 
of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  by  way  of  the  Raymond  and 
Jackson  turnpike  road. 

Clinton  was  no  sooner  taken  possession  of,  than  parties 
were  sent  out  to  destroy  the  track  and  telegraph,  and 
while  engaged  on  this  duty,  several  important  dispatches 
from  General  Pemberton  to  General  Gregg,  both  of  the 
rebel  forces,  were  captured  and  taken  to  General  Grant's 
head-quarters. 

As  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  advanced  along  the 
railroad,  a  parallel  line  of  inarch  was  kept  up  by  the  Fif 
teenth  Army  Corps,  along  the  turnpike  road  by  way  of 
Mississippi  Springs,  while  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  oc 
cupied  Raymond. 

On  May  14th,  the  Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps 
moved,  with  their  whole  force  then  present  on  the  field, 
upon  Jackson — the  march  being  made  amidst  a  heavy 
storm  of  rain,  which  fell  in  torrents  from  midnight  of  the 
13th  until  noon  of  the  14th.  The  roads  were  therefore  in 
the  most  horrible  condition,  at  first  slippery,  next  ankle 
deep"  in  mud.  "Notwithstanding  this,"  says  General 
Grant,  in  his  report,  "  the  troops  marched  in  excellent 
order,  without  straggling,  and  in  the  best  of  spirits,  nearly 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  -  237 

fourteen  miles,  ami  engaged  the  enemy  at  about  twelve 
o'clock,  noon,  near  Jackson." 

As  the  two  corps  marched  toward  Jackson,  the  Thir 
teenth  Corps  garrisoned  the  places  they  had  vacated,  one 
division  occupying  Clinton,  another  holding  Mississippi 
Springs,  while  a  third  took  possession  of  Raymond.  Gen 
eral  Blair's  division  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps  guarded  the 
wagon  train  at  New  Auburn,  and  the  road  to  Utica  was 
held  by  an  advancing  brigade  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps 
that  had  not,  since  the  movement  commenced,  been  joined 
to  the  main  column.  These  forces  were  kept  back  as  a 
corps  of  reserve,  if  necessary,  and  ready  to  move  in  either 
direction  towards  Jackson  or  Vicksburg. 

When  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  who  commanded 
the  rebel  forces  at  Jackson,  discovered  that  Grant's  troops 
were  marching  upon  him,  he  determined  to  meet  them  on 
the  outside  of  the  city,  and  delay  this  advance  as  long  as 
possible,  to  give  him  an  opportunity  to  remove  a  portion 
if  not  the  whole  of  the  property  of  the  rebel  government, 
then  at  Jackson.  As  his  forces  were  small  in  numbers,  he 
ordered  a  feigned  resistance  to  be  made  with  artillery,  sup 
ported  by  a  small  force  of  infantry,  against  the  advance  of 
the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  by  the  turnpike  road,  while, 
with  the  bulk  of  his  army,  he  marched  out  on  the  Clinton 
road  and  engaged  the  Seventeenth  Corps  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  from  the  city. 

The  determined  advance  of  the  skirmishers  of  the  Fif 
teenth  Corps  soon  drove  in  the  resistance  in  their  front,  and 
the  rebels  took  refuge  in  their  rifle-pits,  which  had  been 
thrown  up  just  outside  the  city  of  Jackson.  General  Sher 
man,  the  commander  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  soon  discov 
ered  the  weakness  of  the  enemy  by  means  of  a  reconnois- 
sance  to  his  right,  and  this  flank  movement  caused  an  evac 
uation  of  the  rebel  position  on  this  part  of  their  line. 


238  GENEKAL   GRANT 

Meanwhile,  General  McPherson,  at  the  head  of  two 
divisions  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  engaged  the  main  bulk 
of  the  rebel  forces  from  Jackson  without  any  support,  or 
requiring  any  further  aid.  After  a  very  spirited  contest  of 
over  two  hours'  duration,  he  defeated  the  rebel  forces,  and 
the  dispirited  and  beaten  troops  retreated  northward, 
along  the  Canton  road,  leaving  the  city  in  the  hands  of  the 
conquerors.  A  pursuit  was  immediately  ordered  ;  but  the 
rebels  had  escaped ;  their  retreat  having  been  made  in  the 
greatest  haste. 

The  following  is  General  Grant's  modest  dispatch  con 
cerning  this  brilliant  operation : 

JACKSON,  Miss.,  May  15,  1863. 
Major-General  H.  W.  HALLECK,  General-in-  Chief,  Washington : 

This  place  fell  into  our  hands  yesterday,  after  a  fight  of  about  three 
hours. 

Joe  Johnston  was  in  command. 

The  enemy  retreated  north,  evidently  with  the  design  of  joining  the 
Vicksburg  forces. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 

General  Grant  entered  the  town  of  Jackson  on  the  after 
noon  of  the  14th,  and  held  a  consultation  with  the  com 
manders  of  the  two  corps  which  had  taken  possession  of 
the  city.  To  prevent  any  unjustifiable  plunder  or  marau 
ding,  the  troops  were  encamped  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
city  during  the  night.  General  Grant  ordered  the  rifle- 
pits  to  be  occupied  at  once,  and  on  the  following  day  to 
destroy  effectually  the  railroad  tracks  in  and  about  Jack 
son,  and  all  the  property  belonging  to  the  enemy. 

Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  May  15th,  one  division 
was  set  to  work  to  destroy  the  railroad  and  property  to 
the  south  and  east  of  the  city,  including  the  Pearl  Kiver 
bridge,  while  another  division  was  engaged  on  the  road  to 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  239 

the  north  and  west.  This  work  of  destruction  was  so  well 
performed,  that  the  utility  of  Jackson  as  a  railroad  or  mil 
itary  centre,  or  as  a  depot  of  stores  or  military  supplies, 
was  completely  destroyed  for  the  time  being.  The  roads 
were  laid  waste  for  at  least  four  miles  to  the  east  of  Jack 
son,  three  miles  south,  three  miles  north,  and  nearly  ten 
miles  west.  Cavalry  raids  were  also  sent  along  the  road 
running  towards  Meridian,  and  cut  the  railroad  at  Bran 
don  and  elsewhere. 

In  the  city  itself,  the  arsenal  building,  government 
foundery,  a  gun  carriage  establishment,  including  the  car 
riages  for  two  complete  batteries  of  artillery,  military  car 
penter's  shop,  stables  and  paint  shops  were  at  once  de 
stroyed.  Some  convicts  who  had  broken  loose  succeeded 
in  setting  fire  to  the  penitentiary  during  the  time  the  mili 
tary  were  thus  engaged.  A  valuable  cotton  factory  was 
also  demolished.  General  Sherman,  in  speaking  of  the  de 
struction  of  this  establishment,  says :  **  This  factory  was 
the  property  of  the  Messrs.  Greene,  who  made  strong  ap 
peals,  based  on  the  fact  that  it  gave  employment  to  very 
many  females  and  poor  families ;  and  that,  although  it  had 
woven  cloth  for  the  enemy,  its  principal  use  was  in  weav 
ing  cloth  for  the  people.  But  I  decided  that  machinery 
of  that  kind  could  so  easily  be  converted  into  hostile  uses, 
that  the  United  States  could  better  afford  to  compensate 
the  Messrs.  Greene  for  their  property,  and  for  the  poor 
families  thus  thrown  out  of  employment,  than  to  spare  the 
property.  I  therefore  assured  all  such  families  that  if 
want  should  force  them,  they  might  come  to  the  river,  where 
we  would  feed  them  until  they  could  find  employment  or 
seek  refuge  in  some  more  peaceful  land." 

The  following  letter  from  an  army  correspondent  con 
tains  incidents  of  interest  concerning  the  march  to  and 
occupation  of  the  city  of  Jackson  : — 


240 
The  UBJM  ar»y  hw»  ••!•<•  til  i ••••!•  rf  Jadaaa,  the 


::•-•- 

i^f:_-~ 

i  :-..-:: '  :..--:_:  .-:;•_-    T_L-:r  r?  .1.--  ir,-  -:-::!:._•  -'_  -?:       - 

r      -      1  f.  .--..- 

.-.:-;    .      •• 


ar  ™=-1 — ,  a  &mafl  fanra  on  the  YktsJwrg  ad  Jack- 
It  wa 


._ ..-.._„_.__.___  _^_ .    .._  —     -       ...    .--.^ 

::  ::.f  r:^--i  -i:r.r    :.~    f 
E^» 


iM,«f 

r  ---"    -v.  --.   -;:•-- 


::       :     .- ._         _    -  "i.-_-*  ;  .    :__  T    ..*-;;    -" 

n_t    .    "  ~    ~  -.T  .'   ~ '  ~-r  ':    '  'ii-    '_• '  1"  -!  I.'f          _r  T  .'  71   "_.f     f     _  ~  .'- '    n.  "  c*    ~  ...   .  '-     .  -      - 

.:...  ±  =:.:-.-_  ---: 


il?       -Lrfr      --v  ;:.-  >-;      -i  -^-:rz  i_  ::.   -j    '  -  '    •      -._--::.; 


-..  _  -  _;-•  .  ..-__•  -        -  _    .-         

.       ~~  -         :.  .  _  ^    . :     .  ~     ^    .  .   _      . .  v  .    .       .      "        .  _  .  _  :          -  ". .     _  _          .  

- "     -                   V   -  m  *"m  -    V^B  ^    -               ••         "«  *    *     *^»  "-         *         '  -  -  -  -  '-. 

.  —  T         --.-        IT    .'._    T-:       ."  _1         —    r     T"  .".  ..  -.  f-     _  -  ~-  - 

left  cf  Ois  teH  tfas  cmaay  lad  ported  hfe  »t9erT.  »d  dn 

MsBaeoftauie.    Fnn  ^  foot  of  tbe  aerfritj.  and  not  a  mDe 

_i  r  .  T  ,.    •"     .      .     r  -  .    "__-_.:"__'  _:L  -   . .  ~       .          -- "- .  "  .r  r   .~    - 

"       ~    "-M.J"'         •  —i  -    1    ."  "_     T      „.      7.     "      r      L-.     ~     -~     "         "      :  -    -" 


241 


:-.-  -  ,.:  ~-.-r:  ::  :-  .-::  ::  i  :-v.i  r_    -  :  -  ::•-  fe'.i  -.:--  '-,- 


.-:::  -•--  =  -.*"*:- 


AAer  a  Imate  defaf;  tmey 


be  farad  to  retire.    He 


-    .   -.-.:...-     --:,:  ;.-^    :r,--  -;  ^-..v.  v- 


--.-    :.-.,-.. 


242  GENERAL    GKAoST 

"We  readied  the  fort,  and  found  a  magnificent  battery  of  six  pieces, 
which  the  enemy  had  left  behind  him,  and  a  hundred  new  tents,  await 
ing  appropriation. 

The  hospital  flag  was  flying  from  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute,  and 
this  was  crowded  with  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  who,  of  course,  fell 
-into  our  hands  as  prisoners  of  war.  Opposite  and  all  around  this  building 
were  tents  enough  to  encamp  an  entire  division,  and  just  in  front  of  it, 
hauled  out  by  the  roadside,  were  two  small  breech-loading  two-pounder 
rifles,  which  had  been  used  to  pick  off  officers. 

Further  down  the  street  we  found  a  pile  of  burning  caissons,  and  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  directly  in  front  of  the  Confederate  House, 
the  stores,  filled  with  commissary  and  quartermaster's  supplies,  were 
briskly  consuming. 

Directly  in  front  of  us  the  State  House  loomed  up  in  ample  proportions. 
Two  officers,  taking  possession  of  the  flag  of  one  of  the  regiments,  gal 
loped  rapidly  forward,  and  hoisted  it  from  the  flag-staff  surmounting  its 
broad  dome.  The  beautiful  flag  was  seen  in  the  distance  by  the  advanc 
ing  column,  and  with  cheers  and  congratulations  it  was  greeted. 

"We  had  captured  Jackson,  the  hotbed  of  the  rebellion.  Guards  were 
established,  a  provost-marshal  appointed,  and  the  city  placed  under 
martial  law.  The  citizens,  particularly  those  who  sustained  official  re 
lations  to  the  State  and  rebel  governments,  had  left  the  city  the  evening 
before ;  but  there  were  many  soldiers  left  behind,  and  a  large  number  in 
hospital,  who  fell  into  our  hands. 

The  State  Treasurer  and  Governor  Pettus*  were  gone,  taking  the  funds 
and  State  papers  with  them.  A  large  amount  of  government  and  mili 
tary  property  fell  into  our  hands ;  but  private  property  was  altogether 
unmolested.  The  offices  of  the  Memphis  Appeal  and  Jackson  Mississip- 
pian  were  removed  the  preceding  night — the  former  to  Brandon  and  the 
Matter  to  Mobile. 

"We  now  have  quiet  and  undisturbed  possession  of  Jackson. 

One  portion  of  the  rebel  force  has  moved  out  on  the  Canton  road,  and 
tho  other  on  the  road  south  of  the  city,  whence  they  will  both  doubtless 
make  a  detour  around  Jackson,  outside  of  our  lines,  and  unite  at  Ed 
wards' s  Station,  on  the  Yicksburg  and  Jackson  Railroad,  where  the  citi 
zens  say  they  will  give  us  battle. f 

*  See  Proclamation  in  Chapter  XXXII.,  pages  228,  229. 
f  New  York  Herald  correspondence,  under  date  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  May 
14th,  1863. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  243 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


GENERAL  GRANT,  after  he  had  taken  possession  of  the 
State  capital  of  Mississippi  on  May  14th,  obtained  some 
very  important  information  relative  to  the  plans  of  the  rebel 
army,  and  among  other  things  ascertained  that  General 
Johnston  had  ordered  General  Pemberton  peremptorily  to 
move  out  of  Vicksburg  and  attack  the  United  States  forces 
in  the  rear.  As  soon  as  General  Grant  was  satisfied  of  the 
correctness  of  this  information,  he  at  once  ordered  the 
Thirteenth  Army  Corps  and  General  Blair's  Division  of  the 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps  to  face  their  troops  toward  Bolton, 
with  a  view  of  marching  upon  Edwards's  Station.  These 
troops  being  admirably  located  for  such  a  move,  marched 
along  different  roads  converging  near  Bolton,  and  the  move 
ment  resulted  in  a  complete  success.  The  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps  was  ordered  to  retrace  its  steps  to  Clinton, 
and  commenced  its  march  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th  of  May.  The  balance  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps 
was  left  at  Jackson  to  destroy  every  thing  that  might  have 
been  or  was  capable  of  being  used  in  a  hostile  manner  by 
the  enemy. 

At  half  past  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  15th  of 
May,  a  division  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  occupied 
Bolton,  capturing  a  number  of  prisoners,  and  driving  away 
the  rebel  pickets  from  the  post. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  General  Grant  re- 


244  GENERAL   GKANT 

moved  his  head-quarters  to  Clinton,*  where  he  arrived  at 
about  a  quarter  to  five  o'clock  p.  M. 

The  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  having  passed  through 
Clinton  to  the  support  of  the  right  of  the  Thirteenth 
Corps,  General  Grant  ordered  General  McClernand  to 
move  his  command  early  the  next  morning  upon  Edwards's 
station,  marching  so  as  to  feel  the  enemy ;  but  not  to 
bring  on  a  general  engagement  unless  he  felt  sure  of  de 
feating  the  force  before  him.  In  accordance  with  this  or 
der,  cavalry  reconnoissances  were  sent  out  toward  the 
picket  lines  of  the  enemy;  three  good  roads  were  discov 
ered  leading  from  the  Bolton  and  Raymond  road  to  Ed 
wards's  station  ;  and  on  the  night  of  the  fifteenth  of  May, 
the  necessary  orders  were  given  for  the  advance  of  the 
corps  on  the  morrow. 

The  following  account  of  the  battle  of  Champion's  Hill 
is  given  by  a  participant : 

The  programme  of  the  advance  was  arranged  by  General  Grant  and 
General  McClernand  as  follows : — Extreme  left,  General  Smith,  supported 
by  General  Blair:  on  the  right  of  General  Smith,  General  Osterhaus, 
supported  by  General  Carr:  General  Hovey  in  the  centre,  with  General 
McPherson's  Corps  on  the  extreme  right,  with  General  Crocker,  as  re 
serve.  In  this  order  the  advance  was  made.  General  McClernand's 
Corps,  with  the  exception  of  General  Hovey's  Division,  reaching  the 
position  by  way  of  the  several  roads  leading  from  Raymond  to  Edwards's 
Station. 

On  the  evening  of  the  1 5th,  General  McClernand  heard  that  the  enemy 
were  advancing  from  Edwards's  Station,  and  quickly  placed  his  troops  in 
order  of  battle  to  repel  the  anticipated  attack.  Extensive  reconnois 
sances  revealed  the  fact,  however,  that  he  was  merely  feeling  his  posi 
tion  and  force,  and  that  no  attack  need  be  expected  that  day. 

The  enemy's  first  demonstration  was  upon  our  extreme  left,  which 

*  It  will  be  plainly  seen  that  during  the  successive  changes  in  the  po 
sition  of  the  army,  General  Grant  was  always  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  his  fighting  troops,  directing  their  movements. 


AXD   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  245 

they  attempted  to  turn.  This  attempt  was  most  gallantly  repulsed  by 
General  Smith,  commanding  the  left  wing.  At  seven  o'clock  the  skir 
mishers  were  actively  engaged ;  and  as  the  enemy  sought  the  cover  of 
the  forest  our  artillery  fire  was  opened,  which  continued  without  intermis 
sion  for  two  hours.  At  this  time  General  Ransom's  Brigade  marched 
on  the  field,  and  took  up  a  position  as  reserve  behind  General  Carr. 

Now  the  battle  raged  fearfully  along  the  entire  line,  the  evident  inten 
tion  of  the  enemy  being  to  mass  his  forces  upon  Hovey  on  the  centre. 
There  the  fight  was  most  earnest ;  but  General  McPherson  brought  his 
forces  into  the  field,  and  after  four  hours  hard  fighting  the  tide  of  bat 
tle  was  turned  and  the  enemy  forced  to  retire. 

Disappointed  in  his  movements  upon  our  right,  the  rebels  turned  their 
attention  to  the  left  of  Hovey's  division,  where  Colonel  Slack  command 
ed  a  brigade  of  Indianians.  Massing  his  forces  here,  the  enemy  hurled 
them  against  the  opposing  columns  with  irresistible  impetuosity,  and 
forced  them  to  fall  back :  not,  however,  until  at  least  one  quarter  of  the 
troops  comprising  the  brigade  were  either  killed  or  wounded.  Taking 
a  new  position,  and  receiving  fresh  re-enforcements,  our  soldiers  again 
attempted  to  stem  the  tide,  this  time  with  eminent  success.  The  enemy 
was  beaten  back,  and  compelled  to  seek  the  cover  of  the  forest  in  his 
rear.  Following  up  their  advantage,  without  waiting  to  reform,  the 
soldiers  of  the  Western  army  fixed  their  bayonets  and  charged  into  the 
woods  after  them.  The  rebels  were  seized  with  an  uncontrollable  panic^ 
and  thought  only  of  escape.  In  this  terrible  charge  men  were  slaugh 
tered  without  mercy.  The  ground  was  literally  covered  with  the  dead 
and  dying.  The  enemy  scattered  in  every  direction,  and  rushed  through 
the  fields  to  reach  the  column  now  moving  to  the  west  along  the  Vicks- 
burg  road.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  battle  was  over  and 
the  victory  won. 

Of  the  part  taken  in  this  battle  by  McPherson's  Corps,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  say  that  it  rendered  the  most  efficient  and  satisfactory  as 
sistance.  To  it  belongs  the  credit  of  winning  the  fight  on  the  extreme 
right. 

The  battle  ended,  the  left  wing  was  speedily  advanced  upon  the 
Vicksburg  road,  driving  the  enemy  rapidly  before  them,  and  picking  up 
as  they  advanced  numbers  of  prisoners  and  guns. 

On  the  left  of  the  road  we  could  see  large  squads  of  rebel  soldiers 
and  commands  cut  off  from  the  main  column,  and  whom  we  engaged  at 
intervals  with  artillery. 

Thus  we  pursued  the  enemy  until   nearly  dark,  when  we  entered 


246  GENERAL   GEANT 

the  little  village,  known  by  the  name  of  Edwards's  Station,  just  as  the 
enemy  was  leaving  it. 

When  within  rifle  range  of  the  station,  we  discovered,  on  the  left, 
a  large  building  in  flames,  and  on  the  right  a  smaller  one  from  which, 
just  then,  issued  a  series  of  magnificent  explosions.  The  former  con 
tained  commissary  stores,  and  the  latter  shell  and  ammunition — five 
car-loads — brought  down  from  Yicksburg  on  the  morning  of  the  day  of 
the  battle.  In  their  hasty  exit  from  Edwards's  Station  the  rebels  could 
not  take  this  ammunition  with  them,  but  consigned  it  to  the  flames 
rather  than  it  should  fall  into  our  hands.  We  bivouac  in  line  of 
battle  to-night,  a.nd  to-morrow  move  upon  the  bridge  across  Big  Black 
Eiver.* 

The  following  extracts  from  General  McClernand's  offi 
cial  report  will  also  prove  interesting,  inasmuch  as  it  sets 
forth  the  part  taken  by  General  Grant  in  this  brilliant 
affair : 

The  different  divisions  were  started  at  different  hours,  in  conse 
quence  of  the  different  distances  they  had  to  march,  which  was  designed 
to  secure  a  parallel  advance  of  the  different  columns.  Believing  that 
General  Hovey's  Division  needed  support,  I  sent  a  dispatch  to  General 
Grant,  requesting  that  General  McPherson's  Corps  should  also  move 
ferward.  Assurances  altogether  satisfactory  were  given  by  the  Gen 
eral,  and  I  felt  confident  of  our  superiority. 

After  alluding  to  the  demonstrations  made  in  the  early 
part  of  the  contest,  General  McClernand  continues  : — 

Early  notifying  Major-General  Grant  and  Major-General  McPherson 
what  had  transpired  on  the  left,  I  requested  the  latter  to  co-operate  with 
my  forces  on  the  right,  and  directed  General  Hovey  to  advance  prompt 
ly  but  carefully,  and  received  a  dispatch  from  General  Hovey  informing 
me  that  he  had  found  the  enemy  strongly  posted  in  front ;  that  General 
McPherson's  Corps  was  behind  him ;  that  his  right  flank  would  probably 
encounter  severe  resistance ;  and  inquiring  whether  he  should  bring  on 
the  impending  battle.  My  command  was  now  about  four  miles  from  Ed 
wards's  Station,  and  immediately  informing  Major-General  Grant,  whom 
[understood  to  be  on  the  field,  of  the  position  of  affairs,  I  inquired  whether 
I  should  bring  on  a  general  engagement..  A  dispatch  from  the  General. 

*  Army  correspondence  of  the  New  York  Herald,  May  30,  1863. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  247 

dated  at  thirty-five  minutes  past  noon,  came,  directing  me  to  throw  for 
ward  skirmishers  as  soon  as  my  forces  were  on  hand,  to  feel  and  attack 
the  enemy  in  force,  if  opportunity  occurred,  and  informing  me  that  he 
was  with  Hovey  and  McPherson,  and  would  see  that  they  fully  co-operated. 
Meanwhile,  a  line  of  skirmishers  had  encountered  Generals  Osterhaus 
and  Smith's  Divisions,  closing  up  the  narrow  space  between  them.  *  * 
These  measures  had  been  taken  in  compliance  with  General  Grant's 
orders,  based  on  information  of  which  he  had  advised  me,  that  the  enemy 
was  in  greatest  strength  in  front  of  my  centre  and  left,  and  might  turn  my 
left  flank  and  gain  my  rear.  *  *  *  Instantly  upon  the  re 
ceipt  of  General  Grant's  order  to  attack,  I  hastened  to  do  so. 

Then  follows  an  account  of  that  part  of  the  battle  in 
which  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  participated,  the  details 
of  which  will  be  found  in  the  army  correspondence  imme 
diately  preceding  the  foregoing  extracts,  and  in  General 
Grant's  report.* 

The  following  is  General  Johnston's  dispatch  announcing 
the  defeat  of  the  rebel  forces : 

CAMP  BETWEEN  LIVINGSTON  AND  BROWNSVILLE,  Miss.,  ) 
May  18,  1863.  J" 

To  General  S.  COOPEB  : 

Lieutenant-General  Pemberton  waa  attacked  by  the  enemy  on  the 
morning  of  the  16th  inst.,  near  Edwards's  Depot,  and,  after  nine  hours 
fighting,  was  compelled  to  fall  back  behind  the  Big  Black. 

J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General- Commanding. 

The  dispatch  also  shows  the  position  of  the  forces  that 
retreated  from  Jackson,  and  how,  by  General  Grant's  rapid 
movements,  they  had  been  cut  off  from  forming  a  junction 
with  Pemberton. 

*  Appendix  G. 


248  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

BATTLE    OF   BIG   BLACK   RIVER. 

BEFORE  leaving  Clifton,  General  Grant  notified  General 
Sherman  of  the  approaching  engagement  at  Edwards's  Sta 
tion,  and  ordered  him  to  advance  upon  Bolton  as  quickly 
as  possible.  The  dispatch  was  received  on  the  morning 
of  May  16th,  and  with  his  usual  promptitude  one  of  his 
divisions  marched  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  he 
followed  with  the  other  at  noon. 

The  whole  corps  marched  during  that  day  from  Jack 
son  to  Bolton,  nearly  twenty  miles,  and  the  next  morning, 
May  17th,  by  order  of  General  Grant,  resumed  the  march 
by  a  road  lying  north  of  Baker's  Creek  to  Bridgeport  on 
the  Big  Black  River,  where  it  arrived  at  noon.  At  this 
point  General  Blair's  Divison,  also  by  order  of  General 
Grant,  rejoined  the  command. 

The  success  at  Champion's  Hill  was  the  cause  of  this 
change  of  route,  and  as  the  enemy  had  fallen  back  over 
the  Big  Black  River  towards  Vicksburg,  it  was  necessary 
that  means  of  crossing  should  be  supplied  to  the  pursuing 
troops.  When  General  Sherman  arrived  at  Bridgeport, 
he  found  that  General  Grant  had  looked  after  this  vital 
point,  for  in  his  official  report  he  says :  "  There  I  found 
General  Blair's  Division  and  the  pontoon  train"  The 
pontoon  bridge  was  laid,  and  two  divisions  crossed  the 
river  that  night,  the  third  following  the  next  morning. 

The  defeated  rebels  fell  back  from  Edwards' s  Station  to 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  249 

the  Black  River,  which  they  crossed  by  means  of  the  rail 
road  bridge.  At  daylight  on  May  17th,  the  pursuit  was 
renewed  with  General  McClernand's  Thirteenth  Army 
Corps  in  the  advance.  The  enemy  was  found  strongly 
posted  on  both  sides  of  the  Black  River.  At  this  point  of 
the  stream  the  bluffs  extend  to  the  water's  edge  on  the  west 
or  Vicksburg  bank,  while  on  the  east  side  is  an  open,  culti 
vated  bottom  of  nearly  one  mile  in  width,  surrounded  by  a 
bayou  of  stagnant  water  from  two  to  three  feet  in  depth, 
and  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  in  width,  running  from  the 
river  above  the  railroad  to  the  river  below.  The  enemy, 
by  constructing  a  line  of  rifle-pits  along  the  inside  edge 
of  this  bayou,  had  formed  it  into  a  natural  ditch  before  a 
fortified  work.  The  spot  was  well  chosen  for  defence,  and 
gave  to  the  enemy  every  advantage. 

The  position  had,  however,  to  be  carried  before  Vicksburg 
could  be  reached ;  and  notwithstanding  the  level  ground  over 
which  a  portion  of  the  troops  had  to  pass  without  cover,  and 
the  great  obstacle  of  the  bayou  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works, 
the  charge  was  gallantly  and  successfully  made,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  entire  garrison  with  seventeen  pieces  of  artillery 
were  the  trophies  of  this  brilliant  and  daring  movement. 

When  the  rebels  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  discov 
ered  that  the  position  on  the  level  below  was  sure  to  be 
taken,  they  destroyed  the  railroad  bridge  by  fire  with  the 
intent  of  preventing  General  Grant's  army  from  crossing 
the  Big  Black  River :  but  in  this  operation  they  merely  cut 
off  every  chance  of  escape  for  the  garrison  on  the  eastern 
bank,  and  the  men  were  therefore  all  taken  prisoners  with 
their  arms  and  equipments. 

An  eye-witness  of  the  struggle  at  the  Black  River  bridge 
gives  the  following  account  of  the  battle : 

The  battle  of  Big  Black  bridge  was  fought  on  Sunday,  May  17th,  the 
day  after  the  battle  of  Cham  >  on's  Hill.  In  this  spirited  engagement 
11* 


250  GENERAL   GRANT 

only  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  was  engaged.  It  is  superfluous  to  add 
that  the  troops  comprising  this  corps  fought  as  they  always  do,  excellently 
well.*  In  the  morning,  after  a  night's  bivouac  on  the  hill  overlooking  the 
village  of  Edwards's  Station,  the  column  with  McClernand  at  its  head 
moved  towards  Black  River  bridge.  The  citizens  who  were  questioned 
on  the  subject,  said  the  position  was  strongly  fortified  at  the  crossing, 
and  we  naturally  thought  the  enemy  would  make  stubborn  resistance 
there.  We  were  not  surprised,  therefore,  to  learn  that  our  advance 
guard  was  fired  upon  by  the  rebel  pickets  as  the  column  moved  towards 
the  river. 

The  country  between  Edwards's  Station  and  the  bridge  loses  that 
hilly  and  broken  character  which  distinguishes  the  region  further  east, 
and  spreads  out  into  a  broad  and  fertile  plain,  over  which  we  moved 
rapidly.  There  were  no  commanding  hills  whence  they  could  pour  a 
deadly  fire  into  our  ranks ;  but  there  were  numerous  patches  of  forest, 
under  the  cover  and  from  the  edge  of  which  they  could  easily  enfilade 
the  open  fields  by  the  roadside.  There  was  such  a  one  a  mile  east  of 
the  intrenchments  where  the  main  picket-guard  was  stationed.  Here 
determined  resistance  was  first  made. 

G-eneral  Carr's  division  had  the  extreme  advance  of  the  column,  and 
opened  and  ended  the  engagement.  Hastily  deploying  a  heavy  line  of 
skirmishers  to  the  right  of  the  road,  backed  up  by  the  two  brigades  of 
Carr's  Division  in  line  of  battle  behind  it,  with  General  Osterhaus's  Di 
vision  on  the  left  of  the  road  similarly  disposed,  General  McClernand  gave 
the  order  to  advance.  Soon  in  the  depths  of  the  thick  forest  the  skir 
mishers  of  both  armies  were  hotly  engaged,  while  batteries  of  artillery 
planted  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road  poured  shot  and  shell  into  the 
fort  most  furiously.  The  guns  in  the  iutrenchmeuts  replied  with  vigor 
and  spirit.  Almost  the  first  shot  dropped  in  the  caisson  belonging  to  a 
"Wisconsin  battery,  and  exploded  its  contents,  slightly  wounding  General 
Osterhaus,  and  Captain  Foster,  of  the  battery,  and  very  seriously  injur 
ing  two  gunners.  General  Osterhaus  being  thus  disabled,  the  command 
of  his  division  was  temporarily  given  to  Brigadier-General  A.  L.  Lee. 

After  skirmishing  had  continued  for  an  hour,  during  which  the  enemy 
gave  way  and  sought  the  cover  of  his  intrenchments,  the  order  was  given 
to  the  several  brigade  commanders,  on  the  right,  to  advance  and  charge 

*  It  will  be  remembered  that  this  corps  was  mostly  composed  of 
troops  who  had  participated  in  the  contests  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh, 
nnd  Corinth,  under  General  Grant. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  251 

the  enemy's  works.  The  order  was  received  with  cheers ;  and  when  the 
word  "Forward"  was  spoken,  steadily  and  splendidly  the  brave  boya 
mo?ed  up  to  the  assault.  The  enemy  crouched  down  behind  the  breast 
works.  A  portion  of  them,  stationed  in  a  curtain  of  the  fort,  whence 
they  were  able  to  get  a  cross-fire  upon  the  column,  reserved  their  volley 
until  we  were  within  easy  musket  range  of  the  intrenchments,' when  they 
swept  the  advancing  line  with  their  terrible  fire.  The  brave  boys  lost 
in  that  foarful  volley  one  hundred  and  fifty  men ;  yet  they  faltered  not 
nor  turned  their  steps  backward.  They  waded  the  bayou,  delivering 
their  fire  as  they  reached  the  other  bank,  and  rushed  upon  the  enemy 
with  fixed  bayonets.  So  quickly  was  all  this  accomplished,  that  the 
enemy  had  not  time  to  reload  their  guns,  and  were  forced  to  surrender. 

The  battle  was  ended,  and  the  fort,  with  three  thousand  prisoners, 
seventeen  pieces  of  artillery — some  of  them  captured  from  ourselves, 
and  bearing  appropriate  inscriptions — several  thousand  stand  of  arm^ 
and  a  large  supply  of  corn  and  commissary  stores,  fell  into  our  hands. 

The  enemy  had,  earlier  in  the  day,  out  of  the  hulls  of  three  steam 
boats,  constructed  a  bridge,  over  which  he  had  passed  the  main  body 
of  his  army.  As  the  charge  was  made,  and  it  became  evident  that  we 
should  capture  the  position,  they  burned  this  bridge,  and  also  the  rail 
road  bridge  across  the  river  just  above. 

In  the  afternoon  several  attempts  were  made  to  cross  the  river,  but 
the  sharpshooters  lined  the  blufts  beyond  and  entirely  prevented  it. 
Later,  the  main  body  of  sharpshooters  were  dispersed  by  our  artillery. 
It  was  not,  however,  safe  to  stand  upon  the  bank,  or  cross  the  open 
field  east  of  the  bridge,  until  after  dark,  when  the  enemy  withdrew 
altogether.* 

*  New  York  Herald  correspondence,  under  date  of  May  17th,  1863. 


252  GENERAL   GRAJST 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

APPROACHING    VICKSBURG. INVESTMENT. — FIRST    ASSAULT. 

GENERAL  SHERMAN,  with  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  during 
the  time  the  battle  of  Black  River  was  being  fought,  had 
as  before  stated,  reached  Bridgeport.  By  the  morning  of 
May  18th,  he  had  crossed  his  command  to  the  west  side  of 
the  Black  River,  and  was  ready  for  the  onward  march.  It 
appears,  by  General  Grant's  report,  that  "  the  only  pontoon 
train  with  the  expedition  was  with  him ;"  and  as  the  rebels 
had  destroyed  the  railroad  bridge,  it  became  necessary,  in 
order  to  get  the  Thirteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  across 
the  river,  to  build  floating  bridges,  which  were  construct 
ed  during  the  night  of  May  17th,  and  early  morning  of 
the  next  day. 

At  eight  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  May  18th,  the  two 
army  corps  were  ready  to  make  the  crossing.  The  Fif 
teenth  Corps  was  now  ordered  in  the  advance,  and  com 
menced  moving  along  the  Bridgeport  and  Yicksburg  road 
at  a  very  early  hour. 

As  the  corps  arrived  within  three  and  a  half  miles  of 
Vicksburg,  the  men  turned  to  the  right,  to  get  possession 
of  the  Walnut  Hills,  and  to  open  a  communication  with  the 
fleet  in  the  Yazoo  River.  This  mano3uvre  was  successfully 
accomplished  by  the  evening  of  May  18th. 

The  Seventeenth  Corps  followed  the  Jackson  road  until 
it  connected  with  the  same  road  previously  taken  by  the 
Fifteenth.  The  former  then  took  up  the  line  of  march  to 
the  rear  of  the  latter,  and  at  about  nightfall  arrived  at  the 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  253 

point  of  the  road  where  General  Sherman  had  turned  off 
towards  the  Yazoo  River. 

The  Thirteenth  Corps  had  moved  by  the  Jackson  and 
Yicksburg  road  to  Mount  Albans,  whence  it  turned  to  the 
left,  for  the  purpose  of  striking  the  Baldwin's  Ferry  road. 

"By  this  disposition,"  says  General  Grant,  "the  three 
array  corps  covered  all  the  ground  their  strength  would 
admit  of,  and  by  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  May  the  in 
vestment  of  Vicksburg  was  made  as  complete  as  could  be 
by  the  forces  under  my  command." 

As  the  army  advanced,  it  was  continually  met  by  the 
rebel  skirmishers,  who  fell  back  steadily  to  their  works  be 
fore  the  city.  "  Relying,"  says  General  Grant,  "  upon  the 
demoralization  of  the  enemy,  in  consequence  of  repeated 
defeats  outside  of  Yicksburg,  I  ordered  a  general  assault 
at  two  p.  M.,  on  this  day." 

At  the  appointed  signal,  the  line  of  the  Fifteenth  Army 
Corps  advanced,  and  made  a  vigorous  assault ;  but  the 
other  two  corps  succeeded  only  in  securing  advanced  posi 
tions,  where  they  were  covered  from  the  enemy's  fire. 

The  ground  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  road  by  which 
the  Fifteenth  Corps  advanced,  was  cut  up  in  deep  chasms, 
filled  with  standing  and  fallen  timber,  and  was  so  imprac 
ticable  that  the  line  was  slow  and  irregular  in  reaching  the 
trenches.  The  object  was,  however,  finally  attained,  and 
the  colors  of  the  Thirteenth  U.  S.  Infantry  planted  on  the 
exterior  slope  of  the  works.  But  this  was  not  accomplish 
ed  without  serious  loss.  General  Sherman  reports  that 
the  "commander  of  the  regiment  was  mortally  wounded, 
and  five  other  officers  were  wounded  more  or  less  severely. 
Seventy-seven,  out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  are  re 
ported  killed  or  wounded."  Two  other  re'giments  reached 
the  position  about  the  same  time,  held  their  ground,  and 
fired  upon  any  head  that  presented  itself  above  the  parapet ; 


254  GENERAL   GRANT 

but  it  was  found  impossible  to  enter  the  works.  The  fight 
was  continued  till  night ;  but  the  men  were  still  outside  the 
defences,  and  the  assaulting  column  was  then  withdrawn  to 
a  more  sheltered  position,  for  the  purpose  of  bivouac. 

The  following  account  of  the  advance  and  assault,  is 
given  by  one  who  accompanied  the  main  army : 

The  army  crossed  the  river  early  on  Monday  morning,  over  the  bridge 
constructed  during  the  night.  General  Osterhaus's  Division  first  crossed, 
followed  by  General  A.  J.  Smith's,  which  in  turn  was  followed  by 
McPherson's  Army  Corps.  Sherman  had  continued  north  of  the  railroad 
from  Jackson,  striking  Big  Black  River  a  little  west  of  Bridgeport. 
Here  he  crossed  on  his  pontoon  bridge,  and  moved  upon  the  Vicksburg 
and  Haines  Bluff  and  Spring  Dale  roads.  McPherson  moved  out  on 
the  main  Yicksburg  and  Jackson  road,  while  McClernand  took  posses 
sion  of  the  Baldwin's  Ferry  road. 

On  the  summit  of  the  high  bank  across  the  river  the  column  moved 
through  the  camp  whence  the  night  before  the  enemy  made  his  hasty 
exit.  On  the  plateau  nearest  the  river,  before  the  hill  is  reached, 
numerous  tents  were  left  standing,  just  as  the  occupants  had  hastily 
left  them.  They  could  not  be  destroyed  under  the  heavy  fire  of  our 
skirmishers  posted  on  the  hither  bank  of  the  river.  When  the  hill  was 
reached,  we  found  abundant  evidence  of  the  demoralization  of  the  enemy. 
Several  piles  of  gun-barrels,  with  stocks  but  half  consumed,  were  lying 
by  the  roadside.  Tents,  wagons,  and  gun-carriages  were  in  ashes,  corn 
was  burning,  and  officers'  baggage  and  soldiers'  clothing  were  scattered 
all  over  the  camp.  The  column  moved  to  Bovina,  where  no  evidence  of 
the  enemy  was  seen,  save  a  rebel  hospital  filled  with  sick  and  wounded. 
Here  General  Grant  was  joined  by  General  Dwight  from  Banks' s  army. 

At  Mount  Albans,  General  McClernand  turned  off  on  the  Baldwin's 
Ferry  road,  while  McPherson  kept  along  the  railroad  upon  the  main 
Vicksburg  road.  The  approaches  to  Vicksburg  were  now  all  occupied, 
with  the  exception  of  that  by  way  of  Warrenton,  which  was  afterwards 
occupied  by  McArthur.  When  General  Sherman  crossed  the  river  at 
Bridgeport,  he  met  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  which  immediately  turned 
back,  and,  it  is  rumored,  reached  Vicksburg  by  way  of  Warrenton  the 
next  day.  That  gap  is  now  closed,  and  if  we  capture  Vicksburg  we  shall 
capture  the  entire  force. 

The  night  of  the  18th,  the  command  encamped  in  the  open  fields  out- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  255 

side  the  outer  works,  and  within  easy  artillery  range  of  them — General 
McClernand,  with  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  on  the  left,  General  Mc- 
Pherson's  Seventeenth  Corps  in  the  centre,  and  General  Sherman's  Fif 
teenth  Corps  on  the  right. 

At  daylight  on  the  19th,  General  Grant  proceeded  to  move  upon  tho 
enemy's  works — a  series  of  redoubt*  arranged  with  great  skill,  and  extend 
ing  from  the  rear  of  Haines  Bluff  around  to  the  Worrenton  road,  a  dis- 
tunce  of  from  eight  to  ten  miles. 

The  ground  by  which  they  are  approached  is  singularly  broken — a 
vast  plateau  upon  which  a  multitude  of  little  hills  seem  to  have  been 
sown  broadcast,  and  of  course  the  rebel  redoubts  were  so  disposed  as  to 
siveep  every  neighboring  crest  and  enfilade  every  approach. 

The  corps  of  General  Sherman  moved  up  on  the  Haines'  Bluff  road, 
by  a  sort  of  poetic  justice  taking  possession  of  the  ground  by  the  rear 
which  he  had  once  vainly  attempted  to  gain  from  the  front.  McPherson 
advanced  on  the  Jackson  road,  and  R>vered  the  ground  from  the  left  of 
Sherman  to  the  railroad,  while  McClernand' s  Corps  occupied  the  front 
from  the  railroad  to  the  extreme  left. 

The  action  began  by  a  slow  fire  from  our  artillery  along  the  whole 
line,  our  guns  having  a  pretty  long  range,  and  eliciting  but  feeble  re 
sponse  from  the  enemy. 

About  noon,  Osterhaus's  Division  advanced  on  the  left  to  within  about 
six  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  works,  to  find  themselves  confronted 
by  fifteen  redoubts,  with  their  rifle-pits,  which  opened  fire  upon  us 
whenever  we  appeared  on  a  crest  or  through  a  hollo w. 

The  guns  of  the  rebels  appeared  to  be  of  small  calibre,  throwing 
principally  grape  and  canister.  Our  skirmishers  were  thrown  further 
up;  but  little  firing  was  done  on  either  side. 

At  two  o'clock  the  order  came  for  a  general  advance  upon  the  rebel 
works,  over  ground  which,  on  the  left,  at  least,  was  almost  impassable 
under  the  most  peaceful  circumstances.  The  order  seemed  a  hard  one; 
vet  nothing  is  too  hard  for  true  soldiers  to  try. 

General  A.  L.  Lee,  who  commanded  the  First  Brigade  of  Osterhaus's  Di 
vision,  and  was  in  the  advance,  determined  to  carry  out  his  orders  if  their 
execution  was  possible.  Addressing  a  few  words  of  cheer  to  his  men,  he 
placed  himself  in  front  of  the  centre  of  his  brigade,  led  them  forward  in  line 
of  battle,  and  was  the  first  man  to  gain  the  crest  of  the  hill  which  he  was 
attempting.  He  then  found  that  it  was  only  the  first  of  several  ridges 
which  were  to  be  crossed,  the  ravines  between  which  were  swept  by 
the  guns  of  the  enemy's  redoubt.  Still  he  tried  to  press  on,  and  his 


256  GENERAL   GRANT 

brigade  of  brave  fellows  to  follow  him,  the  air,  in  the  mean  time,  thick 
with  bullets  and  shells;  but  a  ball  from  the  rifle  of  a  sharpshooter 
struck  him  on  the  face,  and  he  fell.  His  brigade  withdrew  a  few  feet 
only,  behind  the  crest  of  the  hill  on  which  they  had  just  raised,  and 
held  their  position ;  one  of  the  regiments  getting  so  favorable  a  point, 
that  they  were  able  to  remain  within  about  two  hundred  yards  of  one 
of  the  redoubts,  and  to  prevent  the  gunners  from  firing  a  single  shot. 

I  am  glad  to  say  that  General  Lee,  though  severely,  was  by  no  means 
dangerously  wounded.  His  brigade  sustained  a  much  smaller^ioss  than 
a  distant  observer  could  have  believed  possible. 

The  same  degree  of  success,  or  want  of  success,  attended  the  move 
ment  along  the  whole  line.  Our  forces  moved  very  close  to  the  works, 
and  then  remained  waiting  and  watching  for  the  nearer  approach  of  our 
artillery.  At  nightfall  our  troops  retired  a  short  distance  and  went  into 
camp.  During  the  night  heavy  siege-guns  were  planted  by  us  for 
future  use.  our  light  artillery  movSd.  nearer,  and  a  slight  earthwork  was 
thrown  up  to  protect  them. 

To-day  (Wednesday,  May  20th),  the  heavy  guns  on  our  left  opened 
long  before  daylight.  As  heretofore,  the  enemy  have  failed  to  reply. 
Our  skirmishers  are  pushed  forward  within  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
of  the  whole  line  of  the  redoubts,  and  keep  so  sharp  a  lookout  that  the 
enemy  finds  it  impossible  to  work  his  guns. 

On  the  centre  two  heavy  siege-guns  are  in  position  less  than  half  a 
mile  from  a  strong  fort  just  in  front  of  them,  so  near  that  the  Minie 
bullets  were  whistling  merrily  past  the  ears  of  the  workmen.  To 
morrow  they  will  open  on  the  fort. 

On  the  right,  Sherman  still  holds  his  line  of  skirmishers  well  up  to 
the  rebel  forts  on  his  front,  and  the  artillerists  are  trying  to  level  the 
rebel  works,  FO  far  without  success.  During  our  operations  to-day 
thirty  or  forty  men  were  wounded.* 

General  Sherman,  in  making  his  movement  of  May  18th, 
towards  the  Yazoo  River,  as  before  stated,  acted  under 
General  Grant's  instructions,  for  the  purpose  of  opening 
communication  with  the  fleet  in  those  waters,  and  securing 
a  base  of  supplies  north  of  the  city  of  Vicksburg.  It  is 
therefore  necessary  to  show  how  Admiral  Porter  had  co- 

*  Army  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Herald,  under  date  of  May  20th. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  257 

operated  with  General  Grant's  movements.  The  following 
report  will,  without  comment,  clearly  explain  his  pro 
ceedings  in  the  front  of  Yicksburg  while  General  Grant 
was  acting  in  the  rear  : 

FLAGSHIP  BLACK  HAWK,  HAINES  BLUFF,  ) 
YAZOO  RIVER,  May  20,  1863.          ] 
Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  I  came  over  to  the  Yazoo,  to  be  ready  to^ 
co-operate  with  General  Grant.  Leaving  two  of  the  iron-clads  at  Red 
River,  one  at  Grand  Gulf,  one  at  Carthage,  three  at  Warrenton,  and  two 
in  the  Yazoo,  left  me  a  small  force.  Still  I  disposed  of  them  to  the  best 
advantage. 

On  the  18th,  at  meridian,  firing  was  heard  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
which  assured  me  that  General  Grant  iyas  approaching  the  city.  The  can 
nonading  was  kept  up  furiously  for  some  time,  when,  by  the  aid  of 
glasses,  I  discerned  a  company  of  our  artillery  advancing,  taking  position, 
and  driving  the  rebels  before  them.  I  immediately  saw  that  General 
Sherman's  Division  had  come  on  to  the  left  of  Snyder's  Bluff,  and  that 
the  rebels  at  that  place  had  been  cut  of  from  joining  the  forces  in  the  city, 
I  dispatched  the  De  Kalb,  Lieutenant-Commander  Walker ;  Choctaw, 
Lieutenant-Commander  Ramsay;  Romeo,  Petrel,  and  Forest  Rose,  aJl 
under  command  of  Lieutenant-Commander  Breese.  up  the  Yazoo,  to 
open  communication  in  that  way  with  Generals  Grant  and  Sherman. 

This  I  succeeded  in  doing,  and  in  three  hours  received  letters  from 
Generals  Grant,  Sherman,  and  Steele,  informing  me  of  this  vast  success, 
and  asking  me  to  send  up  provisions,  which  was  at  once  done. 

In  the  mean  time,  Lieutenant-Commander  Walker,  in  the  De  Kalb, 
pushed  on  to  Haines  Bluff,  which  the  enemy  had  commenced  evacuating 
the  day  before,  and  a  party  remained  behind  in  the  hopes  of  destroying 
or  taking  away  a  large  amount  of  ammunition  on  hand. 

When  they  saw  the  gunboats,  they  ran  out  and  left  every  thing  in  good 
order — guns,  forts,  tents,  and  equipage  of  all  kinds,  which  fell  into  our 
ho.nds. 

As  soon  as  the  capture  of  Haines  Bluff  and  fourteen  forts  was  re 
ported  to  me,  I  shoved  up  the  gunboats  from  below  Vicksburg  to  fire 
at  the  hill  batteries,  which  fire  was  kept  up  for  two  or  three  hours, 
At  midnight  they  moved  up  to  the  town  and  opened  on  it  for  about  an 
hour,  and  continued  at  intervals  during  the  night  to  annoy  the 
garrison. 


258  GKNTEKAL   GRANT 

On  the  19  th  I  placed  six  mortars  in  position,  with  orders  to  fire 
night  and  day  as  rapidly  as  they  could. 

The  works  at  Haines  Bluff  are  very  formidable.  There  are  fourteen 
of  the  heaviest  kind  of  mounted  eight  and  ten  inch  and  seven  and  a  half  inch 
rifled  guns,  with  ammunition  enough  to  last  a  long  siege.  As  the  gun- 
carriages  might  again  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  I  had  them 
burned,  blew  up  the  magazine,  and  destroyed  the  works  generally.  I 
also  burned  up  the  encampments,  which  were  permanently  and  remark 
ably  well  constructed,  looking  as  if  the  rebels  intended  to  stay  for 
some  time. 

These  works  and  encampments  covered  many  acres  of  ground,  and 
the  fortifications  and  the  rifle-pits  proper  of  Ilaiues  Bluff  extend  about 
a  mile  and  a  quarter.  Such  a  network  of  defences  I  never  saw. 

The  rebels  were  a  year  constructing  them,  and  all  were  rendered 
useless  in  an  hour.  As  soon  as  I  got  through  with  the  destruction  of 
the  magazines  and  other  works,  I  started  Lieutenant-Commander  Walker 
up  the  Yazoo  River,  with  sufficient  force  to  destroy  all  the  enemy's  prop 
erty  in  that  direction,  with  orders  to  return  with  all  dispatch,  and  only 
to  proceed  as  far  as  Yazoo  City,  where  the  rebels  have  a  navy-yard  and 
store-houses. 

In  the  mean  time,  General  Grant  has  closely  invested  Vicksburg,  and  has 
possession  of  the  best  commanding  points.  In  a  very  short  time  a  gene 
ral  assault  will  take  place,  when  I  hope  to  announce  that  Vicksburg  has 
fallen,  after  a  series  of  the  most  brilliant  successes  that  ever  attended  an 
army. 

There  has  never  been  a  case,  during  the  war,  where  the  rebels  have  been 
so  successfully  beaten  at  all  points  /  and  the  patience  and  endurance  shown 
by  our  army  and  navy,  for  so  many  months,  are  about  being  rewarded. 

It  is  a  mere  question  of  a  few  hours,  and  then,  with  the  exception  of 
Port  Hudson,  which  will  follow  Vicksburg,  the  Mississippi  will  be  open 
its  entire  length.  D.  D.  PORTER, 

Rear- Admiral  commanding  the  Mississippi  Squadron. 


It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  most  perfect  harmony  of 
plan  had  been  agreed  upon  between  General  Grant  and 
Admiral  Porter,  and  that  the  latter  rendered  the  former 
all  the  assistance  in  his  power,  towards  accomplishing  the 
grand  object — the  reduction  of  Vicksburg. 
i 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  259 

The  following  official  dispatches  from  General  Peniber- 
ton,  the  commander  at  Vicksburg,  were  sent  to  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  and  from  thence  telegraphed  to  the  rebel 
President  Davis : 

YICKSBURG,  May  20,  1863. 

The  enemy  assaulted  our  intrenchments  yesterday  on  our  centre  and 
left.  They  were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  Our  loss  is  small.  The 
enemy's  force  is  at  least  60,000. 

YICKSBURG,  May  21,  1863. 

The  enemy  kept  up  a  heavy  artillery  fire  yesterday.  Two  of  our 
guns  were  dismounted  in  the  centre.  Our  works,  however,  were  un 
injured.  Their  sharpshooters  picked  off  officers  and  men  all  day.  Our 
works  were  repaired,  and  our  guns  replaced  last  night.  Our  men  are 
encouraged  by  a  report  that  General  Johnston  is  near  with  a  large 
army,  and  are  in  good  spirits. 

We  have  had  a  brisk  artillery  and  musketry  firing  to-day,  also  heavy 
mortar  firing  from  gunboats. 

During  the  past  two  days  transports  with  troops  have  gone  up  the 
river.  Their  destination  is  unknown. 


260  GENERAL    GRANT 


CHAPTER  XXXVH. 

THE    SECOND   ASSAULT   UPON   YICKSBURG. 

AFTER  the  withdrawal  of  the  forces  from  before  Vicks- 
burg  on  the  night  of  the  19th  of  May,  the  army,  for  two 
days,  was  kept  in  a  state  of  comparative  inactivity,  al 
though  lively  skirmishing  occurred  all  along  the  line. 
General  Grant  was,  however,  far  from  being  idle,  inasmuch 
as  he  was  fully  engaged  in  perfecting  communications  with 
the  depots  of  supplies  north  of  the  invested  city.  The 
greater  part  of  the  troops  had  been  marching  and  fighting 
battles  for  twenty  days,  on  an  average  of  about  five  days' 
rations,  drawn  from  the  commissary  department.  Although 
the  men  had  not  suffered  from  short  rations  up  to  this 
time,  still  they  had  begun  to  feel  the  want  of  bread  to  ac 
company  the  other  food  with  which  they  had  been  sup 
plied,  and  to  remedy  this  deficiency  was  for  the  time  Gen 
eral  Grant's  first  and  greatest  object. 

By  the  21st  of  May,  General  Grant  had  completed  his 
arrangements  for  the  drawing  of  every  description  of  sup 
ply,  and  having  secured  this  desirable  aim,  he  was  deter 
mined  to  make  another  effort  to  take  the  city  of  Yicksburg 
by  storm. 

General  Grant  was  induced  to  again  make  the  assault 
upon  the  rebel  defences  of  Vicksburg  from  several  causes, 
some  of  which  he  sets  forth  in  his  official  report.  "  There 
were  many  reasons,"  said  he,  "  to  determine  me  to  adopt 
this  course.  I  believed  an  assault,  from  the  position  gained 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  261 

by  this  time,  could  be  made  successfully.  It  was  known 
that  Johnston  was  at  Canton  with  the  force  taken  by  him 
from  Jackson,  re-enforced  by  other  troops  from  the  East, 
and  that  more  were  daily  reaching  him.  With  the  force  I 
had,  a  short  time  must  have  enabled  him  to  attack  me  in 
tha  rear,  and,  possibly,  succeed  in  raising  the  siege.  Pos 
session  of  Vicksburg  at  that  time  would  have  enabled  me 
to  have  turned  upon  Johnston,  and  driven  him  from  the 
State,  and  possess  myself  of  all  the  railroads  and  practical 
military  highways,  thus  effectually  securing  to  ourselves  all 
territory  west  of  th^e  Tombigbee,  and  this  before  the  sea 
son  was  too  far  advanced  for  campaigning  in  this  latitude. 
I  would  have  saved  the  Government  sending  large  re-en 
forcements,  much  needed  elsewhere ;  and,  finally,  the 
troops  themselves  were  impatient  to  possess  Vicksburg, 
and  would  not  have  worked  in  the  trenches  with  the  same 
zeal,  believing  it  unnecessary,  that  they  did  after  their  fail 
ure  to  carry  the  enemy's  works." 

General  Grant,  therefore,  gave  orders  on  the  21st  of 
May  for  a  general  assault  upon  the  rebel  defences,  to  be 
made  at  ten  o'clock  of  the  next  morning,  by  the  whole  line ; 
and  that  there  should  be  no  mistake  or  difference  in  the 
time  of  movement,  and  as  a  great  deal  would  sometimes 
depend  upon  minutes,  all  the  corps  commanders  set  their 
chronometers  by  the  one  in  the  possession  of  General  Grant. 

The  following  is  the  copy  of  the  order  issued  for  the 
movement  to  the  corps  commanders  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  nr  THE  FIELD,  May  21, 1863. 

GEXERAL: — A  simultaneous  attack  will  be  made  to-morrow  at  ten 
o'clock  A.  M.,  by  all  the  army  corps  of  this  army. 

During  this  day  army  corps  commanders  will  have  examined  all  prac 
tical  routes  over  which  troops  can  possibly  pass.  They  will  get  in  po 
sition  all  the  artillery  possible,  and  gain  all  the  ground  they  can  with 
their  infantry  and  skirmishers. 


262  GENERAL    GKANT 

At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  a  vigorous  attack  will  be  commenced 
by  artillery  and  skirmishers.  The  infantry,  with  the  exception  of  re 
serves  and  skirmishers,  will  be  placed  in  column  of  platoons,  or  by  a 
flank,  if  the  ground  over  which  they  may  have  to  pass  will  not  admit 
of  a  greater  front,  ready  to  move  forward  at  the  hour  designated. 
Promptly  at  the  hour  designated  all  will  start,  at  quick  time,  with  bayonet 
fixed,  and  march  immediately  upon  the  enemy,  without  firing  a  gun  until 
the  outer  works  are  carried.  Skirmishers  will  advance  as  soon  as  pos 
sible  after  heads  of  columns  pass  them,  and  scale  the  walls  of  such 
works  as  may  confront  them. 

By  order  of  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  Commanding. 

In  order  the  better  to  secure  success,"  General  Grant's  or 
der  was,  on  the  evening  of  May  21st,  communicated  to  the 
division  and  brigade  commanders,  and,  as  far  as  practica 
ble,  every  thing  was  done  calculated  to  insure  the  grand 
object  of  the  movement. 

Five  minutes  before  ten  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  May 
22d,  the  bugles  rang  along  the  line  to  prepare  for  the 
charge,  and,  at  ten  o'clock  precisely,  the  three  army  corps 
commenced  their  movement  in  the  following  order :  General 
McClernand,  with  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  on  the  left, 
General  McPherson,  with  the  Seventeenth  in  the  centre, 
and  General  Sherman,  with  the  Fifteenth  on  the  right. 
General  Gr,ant  himself  took  up  a  commanding  position  near 
the  front  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  by  which  he  was  en 
abled  to  see  all  the  advancing  columns  from  that  corps, 
and  part  of  each  of  those  on  the  right  and  left. 

The  preliminary  work  had  been  performed  by  the  artil 
lery,  and  the  outer  works  were  breached  in  several  places. 
Under  cover  of  this  fire,  the  infantry  advanced  to  the 
charge  all  along  the  line.  Brigade  after  brigade  rushed 
forward,  and  slope  and  ditch  were  carried  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet.  The  Stars  and  Stripes  were  planted  on  seve 
ral  portions  of  the  outer  slopes  of  the  enemy's  bastions,  and 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  263 

they  were  maintained  in  that  position  until  night.  The  as 
sault  was  a  splendid  one,  and  was  gallantly  performed  by 
all  the  troops  on  every  part  of  the  line ;  but  the  position 
of  the  enemy  was  far  too  strong  to  be  thus  taken.  Vicks- 
burghad  always  been  naturally  strong,  but  art  had  greatly 
improved  it  by  the  cutting  of  ditches,  felling  of  trees,  con 
struction  of  works,  and,  what  is  of  far  more  importance, 
the  proper  location  of  batteriesvto  guard  every  avenue  of 
approach.  General  Sherman  reported  that  the  artillery 
fire  from  the  rebel  works,  on  one  part  of  his  line,  was  so 
steady  and  severe,  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  infantry  to 
pass  that  point ;  and  even  when  an  attempt  was  made  to 
take  the  death-dealing  works,  it  was  found  to  be  so  well 
covered  by  other  works,  that  the  assaulting  party  recoiled 
under  the  effects  of  a  staggering  fire. 

Notwithstanding  this  fearful  artillery  reply  to  the  assault, 
several  evidences  of  individual  bravery  were  manifested 
by  the  soldiers.*  The  walls  were  scaled,  but  with  no  suc 
cessful  effect.  Although  assaulted  at  every  point  and  at  all 
of  them  at  the  same  time,  the  enemy  was  enabled  to  show  as 
much  force  as  his  work  could  cover.  "The  assault  foiled," 
says  General  Grant,  in  his  report,  "  but  without  weakening 
the  confidence  of  the  troops  in  their  ability  to  ultimately  suc 
ceed."  They  knew  well  that  the  failure  did  not  arise  from 
lack  of  courage  in  themselves,  or  skill  in  their  commander, 
but  they  also  discovered  that  works  of  the  character  which 
defended  Vicksburg  could  not  be  carried  by  storm. 

The  position  taken  up  by  General  Grant  enabled  him  to 
have  a  view  of  the  whole  field  of  action,  and  he  states  em 
phatically  that  u  the  assault  of  this  day  proved  the  quality 
of  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Without 
either  success,  and  with  a  heavy  loss,  there  was  no  mur- 

*  See  General  Grant's  Report,  Appendix  G. 


264  GENERAL   GKANT 

muring  nor  complaining,  no  falling  back,  nor  other  evi 
dence  of  demoralization."  This  fact  alone  proves  the  vaiue 
of  the  discipline  by  which  General  Grant  had  reared  his 
army,  and  the  love  the  men  bore  their  commanders. 

The  following  sketch  of  the  assault,  by  a  participant,  is  of 
interest : 

NEAR  YICKSBURG,  May  22,  1863. 

It  was  rumored  yesterday  that  this  morning  General  Grant  would  or 
der  a  charge  simultaneously  along  the  entire  line  of  works.  Late  in  the 
evening,  the  commanders  of  the  different  divisions  and  brigades  received 
their  orders,  and  prepared  to  execute  them.  The  order  contemplated  a 
fierce  cannonade  from  daylight  until  ten  o'clock,  but,  for  some  reason,  it 
was  not  opened  until  after  eight. 

During  the  night,  however,  the  gunboats  and  mortars  lying  in  front  of 
Vicksburg  kept  up  a  continual  fire,  and  dropped  their  fiery  messengers 
right  and  left  without  distinction. 

During  this  bombardment  several  buildings  were  set  on  fire  by  the 
exploding  shells,  and  lighted  up  the  darkness,  revealing  strange  shapes 
and  wonderful  outlines  standing  out  in  relief  against  the  dark  sky,  which 
added  wonderful  interest  to  the  bombardment  as  witnessed  by  the  dis 
tant  observer.  It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  damage  occasioned  by 
thus  dropping  into  Yicksburg  those  heavy  eleven  and  thirteen  inch 
shells.  Imagination  falls  far  short  of  its  reality. 

Before  we  approached  the  city,  General  Pemberton  ordered  all  the 
women  and  children  for  miles  around  Vicksburg  to  come  within  the  in- 
trenchments,  assuring  them  that  in  that  way  they  would  escape  ail 
danger.  The  consequence  is,  that  there  are  a  large  number  of  non- 
combatants  in  Yicksburg,  exposed  to  all  the  dangers  of  siege  and  bom 
bardment. 

At  eight  o'clock  this  morning  the  cannonading  began,  and  continued, 
with  scarcely  a  moment's  intermission,  along  the  entire  line  until  ten 
o'clock.  From  every  hill-top  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works  cannon  were 
placed,  and  the  fiery  tempest  raged  fearfully.  Guns  were  dismounted, 
embrasures  torn  up,  parapets  destroyed,  and  caissons  exploded.  It 
was  a  fearful  demonstration.  The  enemy  were  powerless  to  reply  ;  for 
our  line  of  skirmishers  were  pushed  up  close  to  the  enemy's  works,  and 
unerringly  picked  off  the  gunners  whenever  they  attempted  to  work 
the  guns. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  265 

For  two  long  hours  did  this  cannonade  continue,  when  a  general 
charge  was  made.  Winding  through  the  valleys,  clambering  over  the 
hills  everywhere,  subjected  to  a  murderous  enfilading  and  cross-fire, 
the  advance  pressed  up  close  to  the  rebel  works — to  find  that  a  deep 
ditch,  protected  by  sharp  stakes  along  the  outer  edge,  lay  between  them 
and  the  intrenchments.  They  planted  their  flag  directly  before  the 
fort,  and  crouched  down  behind  the  embankment,  out  of  range  of  the 
rebel  fire,  as  calmly  as  possible,  to  await  developments.  The  soldiers 
within  the  forts  could  not  rise  above  the  parapet  to  fire  at  them,  for  if 
they  did,  a  hundred  bullets  came  whizzing  through  the  air,  and  the 
adventurers  died. 

The  rebels,  however,  adopted  another  plan.  Taking  a  shell,  they  cut 
the  fuse  close  off,  lighted  it  and,  rolled  it  over  the  outer  slope  of  the 
embankment. 

Subsequently,  with  picks  and  shovels,  a  way  was  dug  into  one  fort, 
and  through  the  breach  the  boys  walked  bravely  in.  The  first  fort  on 
the  left  of  the  railroad  was  stormed  by  a  portion  of  General  Carr's  Di 
vision,  and  gallantly  taken.  The  colonel  that  led  the  charge  was 
wounded. 

On  the  centre  the  fire  was  persistent  and  terrible.  Many  brave  offi 
cers  were  killed  and  many  more  wounded.  Col.  Dollins,  of  the  Eighty- 
first  Illinois,  fell  dead  while  leading  his  men  to  the  charge. 

Later  in  the  afternoon  General  Kansom's  Brigade  charged  the  works 
opposite  his  position,  with  heavy  loss. 

Steele  and  Tuttle,  on  the  right,  were  also  heavily  engaged,  and  the 
former  is  reported  to  have  lost  nearly  a  thousand  men.* 

The  following  account,  also,  gives  interesting  details  of 
the  action,  as  seen  from  General  Grant's  head-quarters : 

For  several  days  the  disposition  of  the  troops  designed  for  the  reduc 
tion  of  Yicksburg  had  been  going  on  with  unceasing  energy.  The  pecu 
liar  formation  of  the  country  in  this  vicinity  made  it  a  matter  of  no  small 
importance  to  thoroughly  comprehend  the  ground  before  using  it  for 
military  ends,  because  there  were  some  localities  which  possessed  strik 
ing  advantages  over  others,  yet  they  did  not  appear  upon  first  sight. 
Accordingly,  the  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  army  here,  General  Grant 

*  Army  correspondence  of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  under  date,  of  May 
22d,  1863. 
12 


266  GENERAL   GRANT 

spent  most  of  his  time  in  riding  over  the  ground  and  studying  out  the  posi 
tions.  This  being  finished,  on  the  following  day  the  troops  were  moved 
to  the  positions  which  they  were  to  occupy  and  hold,  in  corps,  the  Fif 
teenth  (General  Sherman)  on  the  right,  the  Seventeenth  (General  Mc- 
Pherson)  in  the  centre,  and  the  Thirteenth  (General  McClernand)  on  the 
left. 

General  Sherman  the  day  before  had  detached  part  of  his  command, 
with  orders  to  march  against  a  strong  position  in  the  enemy's  possession 
at  Chickasaw  Bluffs.  The  movement  was  made,  and  resulted  most  emi 
nently  in  our  favor — that  is,  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  The  enemy 
at  this  point,  hearing  of  the  presence  of  our  army  in  the  rear  of  Vicks- 
burg,  and  its  proximity  to  their  own  position,  concluded  that  the  better 
part  of  valor  would  be  the  evacuation  of  their  works,  which  action  was 
had  immediately  and  without  delay.  The  possession  of  this  point  is  of 
great  importance  to  this  army  in  its  present  movements.  It  gives  us  a 
ready  and  short  line  of  communication  between  our  base  of  supplies  at 
Young's  Point  and  the  army  in  the  field,  the  distance  being  but  fifteen 
miles  by  water  and  ten  by  land,  making  twenty-five  miles ;  and  by  this 
time  the  arrangements  are  so  far  matured  that  in  a  day  from  Young1  s 
Point  supplies  of  att  sorts  can  reach  the  army. 

Having  every  facility  at  his  command,  the  troops  in  possession  of  every 
necessary  to  their  comfort  and  efficiency,  the  men  in  the  best  of  spirits 
after  a  victorious  campaign  from  Grand  Gulf  to  Big  Black,  and  the  posi 
tions  we  now  hold  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  General  Grant  planned  the 
assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  w.hich  came  off  to-day.  The  arrange 
ment  was  to  make  a  simultaneous  move  on  all  points,  basing  success 
upon  the  consideration  that  the  insufficient  garrison  of  the  place  would 
not  be  able  to  contest  equally  our  assault  at  all  points,  and.  as  a  conse 
quence,  the  weaker  places  could  be  taken  while  the  stronger  were  mak 
ing  their  defence.  This  conclusion  was  very  natural,  and  there  seemed 
hardly  a  doubt  that  at  this  moment  our  troops  would  be  at  least  in  pos 
session  of  several  of  the  enemy's  outer  works,  the  occupation  of  which 
would  insure  us  a  decided  advantage  in  position. 

But  from  causes,  perhaps  beyond  the  control  of  the  generals  in  the 
field,  this  enemy  found  us  unsuccessful,  and  some  of  our  lines  were  less 
advanced  than  in  the  morning.  However,  due  to  the  high  state  of  disci 
pline  of  the  army,  instead  of  being  disheartened  at  our  repulse  and  severe 
loss,  the  men  are  even  more  determined  than  they  were  at  first :  they 
think  of  nothing  but  the  capture  of  Vicksburg — a  fact,  under  such  cir 
cumstances,  surely  to  be  realized. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  267 

General  Grant's  "field  order,"  issued  last  night,  ordered  that  all  the 
reserve  troops  should  be  formed  in  line  at  an  early  hour  this  morning, 
and  that  those  commands  selected  for  the  storming  of  the  fortifications 
should  be  drawn  up  in  "  column"  by  division,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  move  at 
precisely  ten  o'clock  this  morning,  which  was  the  hour  designated  for 
the  assault  to  commence.  The  artillery  opened  a  vigorous  fire  some  time 
before  the  designated  hour  of  the  assault.  The  firing  was  excellent,  al 
most  every  shot  striking  the  crest  of  the  parapet,  and  nearly  all  the 
shells  exploding  immediately  over  the  inner  side  of  the  breastworks. 
Of  course  it  is  not  possible  to  judge  of  the  enemy's  loss,  but  he  certainly 
must  have  suffered  severely  during  our  heavy  fire.  Two  large  explo 
sions  occurred  within  the  works,  during  the  engagement,  which  were 
thought  to  be  caissons.  A  large  building  was  also  destroyed  by  our 
shells. 

At  a  given  hour  the  troops  were  in  motion,  moving  along  the  ravines, 
in  which  to  assume  the  required  formation  and  make  the  attack.  The 
charges  were  most  admirably  executed.  With  perfect  composure  the 
men  moved  up  the  hill,  though  not  under  fire,  yet  under  the  influence 
of  a  dreadful  anticipation  of  a  deadly  volley  at  close  quarters.  When 
within  forty  yards  of  the  works,  of  a  sudden  the  parapet  was  alive  with 
armed  men,  and  in  an  instant  more  the  flash  of  thousands  of  muskets 
hurled  death  and  destruction  most  appalling  into  the  ranks  of  our  ad 
vancing  columns.  Five  hundred  men  lay  dead  or  bleeding  on  one  part 
of  the  field  at  the  first  fire.  Bravely,  against  all  odds,  this  command 
fought  until  its  depleted  ranks  could  no  longer  stand,  when  sullenly  it 
withdrew  under  cover  of  a  hill  near  by.  In  addition  to  the  heavy 
musketry  fire  which  repelled  the  assault,  artillery  played  with  dreadful 
havoc  upon  the  fading  ranks,  which,  after  every  effort  to  win  the  goal, 
were  obliged  to  give  way,  not  to  numbers,  but  impregnability  of  position. 

Upon  the  whole,  as  regards  the  designs  of  our  movement,  we  were 
frustrated,  but  nothing  more.  Our  troops,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
hold  their  own.  The  loss  of  this  day's  engagement  has  been  exceed 
ingly  heavy,  according  to  first  accounts,  which  are  not  the  most  reliable, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  authenticated  returns  will  greatly  lessen  the 
casualties. 

The  failure  of  our  endeavors  to  take  the  city  by  assault  will  be  suc 
ceeded  by  an  effort  to  reduce  the  place  by  means  of  the  spade.  The 
argument  in  favor  of  this  course  is  economy  of  life,  for  even  a  success 
ful  attack  upon  the  city  would  be  attended  with  an  extravagant  loss  of 


268  GENERAL    GRANT 

The  strength  of  Vicksburg  towards  the  land  is  equally  as  strong  as  on 
the  river-side.  The  country  is  broken  to  a  degree,  affording  excellent 
defensive  positions,  and  an  attacking  party  must  necessarily  be  exposed 
to  a  fire  which  could  not  be  withstood  by  any  troops.  In  addition  to  this, 
the  ravines  intervening  the  ridges  and  knolls,  which  the  enemy  has  forti 
fied,  are  covered  with  a  tangled  growth  of  cane,  wild  grape,  etc.,  making 
it  impossible  to  move  the  troops  in  well-dressed  lines.  The  attempt  of 
to-day  has  exhibited  the  impossibility  of  taking  the  city  by  storm ;  but 
tt  few  weeks  of  the  spade  will  show  that  Vicksburg  can  be  taken.* 

The  following  official  report  from  Admiral  Porter  will 
explain  the  part  taken  by  the  fleet  during  this  assault : 

MISSISSIPPI  SQUADRON,  FLAGSHIP  BLACK  HAWK,  ) 
May  23,  1863.  j" 

SIR: — On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  /  received  a  communication  from 
General  Grant,  informing  me  that  he  intended  to  attack  the  whole  of  the 
rebel  works  at  ten  A.  M.  the  next  day,  and  asking  me  to  shell  the  batteries 
from  half-past  nine  until  half-past  ten,  and  annoy  the  garrison.  I  kept  six 
mortars  playing  rapidly  on  the  works  and  town  all  night,  and  sent  the 
Benton,  Mound  City,  and  Carondeletup  to  shell  the  water  batteries  and 
other  places  where  troops  might  be  resting  during  the  night.  At  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  Mound  City  proceeded  across  the  river,  and 
made  an  attack  on  the  hill  batteries  opposite  the  canal.  At  eight  o'clock 
I  found  her  in  company  with  the  Benton,  Tuscumbia,  and  Carondelet. 
All  these  vessels  opened  on  the  hill  batteries  and  finally  silenced  them, 
though  the  main  work  on  the  battery  containing  the  heavy  rifled  gun 
was  done  by  the  Mound  City,  Lieutenant-Commanding  Byron  Wilson. 
I  then  pushed  the  Benton,  Mound  City,  and  Carondelet  up  to  the  water 
batteries,  leaving  the  Tuscumbia,  which  is  still  out  of  repair,  to  keep  the 
hill  batteries  from  firing  on  our  vessels  after  they  had  passed  by.  The 
three  gunboats  passed  up  slowly,  owing  to  the  strong  current,  the  Mound 
City  leading,  the  Benton  following,  and  the  Carondelet  astern.  The 
water  batteries  opened  furiously,  supported  by  a  hill  battery  on  the  star 
board  beam  of  the  vessels.  The  vessels  advanced  to  within  four  hun 
dred  and  forty  yards  (by  our  marks),  and  returned  the  fire  for  two  hours 
without  cessation,  the  enemy's  fire  being  very  accurate  and  incessant. 

Finding  that  the  hill  batteries  behind  us  were  silenced,  I  ordered  up 
the  Tuscumbia  to  within  eight  hundred  yards  of  the  batteries  ;.  but  the 

*  Army  correspondence  of  the  New  York  Herald,  dated  May  22d,  1863. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  269 

turret  was  soon  made  untenable,  not  standing  the  enemy's  shot,  and  I 
made  her  drop  down.  I  had  been  engaged  with  the  forts  an  hour 
longer  than  General  Grant  asked.  The  vessels  had  all  received  severe 
shots  under  water  which  we  could  not  stop  while  in  motion,  and  not 
knowing  what  might  have  delayed  the  movement  of  the  army,  I  ordered 
the  vessels  to  drop  out  of  fire,  which  they  did  in  a  cool,  handsome 
manner. 

This  was  the  hottest  fire  the  gunboats  have  ever  been  under ;  but, 
owing  to  the  water  batteries  being  more  on  a  level  with  them  than 
usual,  the  gunboats  threw  in  their  shell  so  fast  that  the  aim  of  the 
enemy  was  not  very  good.  The  enemy  hit  our  vessels  a  number  of 
times,  but,  fighting  bow  on,  that  did  but  little  damage. 

Not  a  man  was  killed,  and  only  a  few  wounded.  I  had  only  enough 
ammunition  for  a  few  moments  longer,  and  set  all  hands  to  work  to  fill 
up  from  our  depot  below. 

After  dropping  back  I  found  that  the  enemy  had  taken  possession 
again  of  one  of  tha  lower  hill  batteries  and  was  endeavoring  to  mount 
his  guns,  and  had  mounted  a  twelve-pounder  field-piece  to  fire  at  Gen 
eral  Me  Arthur' s  troops,  which  had  landed  a  short  time  before  at  War- 
renton.  I  sent  the  Mound  City  and  Carondelet  to  drive  him  off,  which 
they  did  in  a  few  moments. 

I  beg  leave  to  inclose  a  letter  from  General  Me  Arthur,  explaining 
why  he  did  not  (to  use  his  own  expression)  take  advantage  of  the  results 
gained  by  the  gunboats.  I  have  since  learned  through  General  Grant  that 
the  army  did  assault  at  the  rifjht  time  vigorously.  In  the  noise  and  smoke 
we  could  not  see  or  hear  it.  The  gunboats  were,  therefore,  still  fighting  when 
the  assault  had  proved  unsuccessful. 

The  army  had  terrible  work  before  them,  and  are  fighting  as  well  as  soldiers 
ever  fought  before.  But  the  works  are  stronger  than  any  of  us  dreamed  of. 
General  Grant  and  his  soldiers  arc  confident  that  the  brave  and  energetic 
generals  in  the  army  will  soon  overcome  all  obstacles  and  carry  the  works. 

DAVID  D.  PORTER, 
Acting  Rear- Admiral,  commanding  Mississippi  Squadron. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Shortly  after  this  assault  some  dissensions  arose  in  the 
army  relative  to  the  merits  of  the  troops,  and  in  conse 
quence  of  a  congratulatory  order  issued  by  General  Mc- 
Clernand  on  May  30th,  the  quarrel  would  have  ended  in  a 
complete  disruption  of  the  whole  force,  had  it  not  been  for 


270  GENERAL   GRANT 

the  prompt  action  of  General  Grant.  It  will  be  remem 
bered  that  General  McClernand  had  served  with  General 
Grant  from  the  time  he  first  took  command  at  Cairo  to  the 
assault  of  Vicksburg ;  and  that  naturally  there  existed  a 
friendship  between  them,  that  would  have  been  provoca 
tive  of  great  jealousy  among  the  other  commanders  if 
General  Grant  had  overlooked  the  matter  in  question,  es 
pecially  under  the  circumstances.*  The  objectionable  order 
commenced  as  follows : 

COMRADES  : — As  your  commander,  I  am  proud  to  congratulate  you 
upon  your  constancy,  valor  and  success.  History  affords  no  more  bril 
liant  example  of  soldierly  qualities.  Your  victories  have  followed  in 
such  rapid  succession,  that  their  echoes  have  not  yet  reached  the^  coun 
try.  They  will  challenge  its  grateful  and  enthusiastic  applause.  Your 
selves  striking  out  a  new  path,  your  comrades  of  the  Tennessee  followed, 
and  a  way  was  thus  opened  for  them  to  redeem  previous  disappoint 
ments. 

After  summing  up  the  achievements  of  the  corps,  and 
speaking  in  high  terms  of  his  own  men,  General  McCler 
nand  concludes  in  the  following  language : 

On  the  22d,  in  pursuance  of  the  order  of  the  Commander  of  the  De 
partment,  you  assaulted  the  enemy's  defences  in  front  at  10  o'clock  A.  M., 
and  within  thirty  minutes  had  made  a  lodgment  and  placed  your  colors 
upon  two  of  his  bastions.  This  partial  success  called  into  exercise  the 
highest  heroism,  and  was  only  gained  by  a  bloody  and  protracted  strug 
gle.  Yet  it  was  gained,  and  was  the  first  and  largest  success  gained 
anywhere  along  the  whole  line  of  our  army. 

For  nearly  eight  hours,  under  a  scorching  sun  and  destructive  fire, 
you  firmly  held  your  footing,  and  only  withdrew  when  the  enemy  had 
largely  massed  their  forces,  and  concentrated  their  attack  upon  you. 

How  ana  why  the  general  assault  failed,  it  would  be  needless  now 
to  expiuin.  The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  acknowledging  the  good  inten 
tions  of  all,  would  scorn  indulgence  in  weak  regrets  and  idle  criminations. 
According  justice  to  all,  it  would  only  defend  itself.  If,  while  the  enemy 

*  See  General  Grant's  Report,  Appendix  G. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  271 

was  massing  to  crush  it,  assistance  was  asked  for  by  a  division  at  other 
points,  or  by  re-enforcements,  it  only  asked  what,  hi  one  case,  Major- 
General  Grant  had  specifically  and  peremptorily  ordered,  namely,  simul 
taneous  and  persistent  attack  all  along  our  line,  until  the  enemy's  outer 
works  should  be  carried ;  and  what,  in  the  other,  by  massing  a  strong 
force  in  time  upon  a  weakened  point,  would  have  probably  insured 
success. 

This  order  gave  very  great  offence  ;  in  fact,  it  became  the 
source  of  serious  trouble  in  all  the  other  parts  of  the  army, 
the  men  openly  expressing  their  disapprobation  of  it.  This 
led  to  a  correspondence  between  the  commander  of  the 
Thirteenth  Army  Corps  and  the  General  commanding  the 
army,  and  the  following  letter  was  sent  from  the  former 
to  the  latter. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  THIRTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BATTLE-FIELD  NEAR  VICKSBURG,  June  4,  1863. 

GENERAL: — What  appears  to  be  a  systematic  effort  to  destroy  my  use 
fulness  and  reputation  as  a  commander,  makes  it  proper  that  I  should 
address  you  this  note. 

It  is  reported,  among  other  things,  as  I  understand,  that  I  attacked 
the  enemy's  works  on  the  22d  ult.  without  authority ;  again,  that  I 
attacked  too  late;  again,  that  I  am  responsible  for  your  failure  and 
losses ;  again,  that  I  am  arrested  and  being  sent  K"orth ;  again,  that  my 
command  is  turned  over  to  another  officer ;  and  again,  that  you  have 
personally  assumed  command  of  it.  These  reports  are  finding  their 
way  from  the  landings  up  the  river. 

I  hardly  need  say  to  you  that  all  these  reports  are  false ;  that  I  obey 
ed  orders  in  attacking ;  that  my  attack  was  more  prompt,  and  in  a  large 
measure  more  successful,  than  any  other ;  that  the  ultimate  failure  of 
the  general  attack,  and  losses  attending  the  failure,  were,  under  the  cir 
cumstances,  unavoidable  consequences  of  obstacles  found  to  be  insur 
mountable,  and  in  spite  of  a  determined  effort  on  my  part  to  carry  and 
hold  the  works  in  obedience  to  your  express  and  peremptory  order.  I 
may  add  that  I  am  not  yet  under  arrest,  or  being  sent  away,  or  super 
seded  in  my  command. 

All  these  things  being  known  to  you,  and  these  false  reports  being 
brought  to  your  notice,  it  remains  for  you  to  determine  whether  truth. 


272  GENERAL   GEANT 

justice,  and  generosity  do  not  call  on  you  for  such  a  declaration  as  will 
be  conclusive  in  the  matter.     Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  A.  McCLERNAND,  Major- General  Commanding. 
Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  Commanding  Department  Tennessee. 

To  this  General  Grant  replied  as  follows : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
NEAR  VICKSBURG,  Jane  7    1863.          y 
Major-General  J.  A.  MCCLERNAND,  Commanding  1 3th  Army  Corps  : 

GENERAL: — Inclosed  I  send  you  what  purports  to  be  your  congratula 
tory  address  to  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps. 

I  would  respectfully  ask  if  it  is  a  true  copy.  If  it  is  not  a  correct 
copy,  furnish  me  one  by  bearer,  as  required  both  by  regulations  and 
existing  orders  of  the  Department. 

Very  respectfully, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General 

It  appears  that  General  McClernand  was  absent  at  the 
time  General  Grant's  dispatch  reached  his  head-quarters, 
and  did  not  return  until  the  15th  of  June.  As  soon  as  he 
came  back,  and  had  read  General  Grant's  communication, 
he  at  once  telegraphed  the  following  reply  thereto  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  THIRTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 
NEAR  VICKSBURG,  June  15, 1863.  f 

Major-General  GRANT: 

I  have  just  returned.     The  newspaper  slip  is  a  correct  copy  of  my 
congratulatory  order,  No  72.      lam  prepared  to  maintain  its  statements. 
I  regret  that  my  adjutant  did  not  send  you  a  copy  promptly,  as  he 
ought,  and  I  thought  he  had. 

JOHN  A.  MCCLERNAND,  Major-General  Commanding. 

This,  of  course,  settled  the  matter  as  to  the  authenticity 
of  the  document  in  question  ;  and  as  the  order  implied  a  di 
rect  censure  of  the  commanding  general,  and  an  indirect 
breach  of  the  sixth  Article  of  War,  General  Grant  therefore 
being  equal  to  the  urgent  necessity  of  the  case,  with  the 
desire  to  save  his  army  even  at  the  cost  of  his  friend,  im 
mediately  issued  a  special  order,  of  which  the  following  is 
an  extract : 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  273 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
NEAR  VICKSBURG,  MibS.,  June  15,  1863.         y 
Orders,  No.  164.] — Extract. 
Major-General  John  A.  McClernand  is  hereby  relieved  from  the  com 
mand  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps.     He  will  proceed  to  any  point  he 
may  select  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  report  by  letter  to  head-quarters 
of  the  army  for  orders. 

Major-General  E.  0.  C.  Ord  is  hereby  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President, 
and  will  immediately  assume  charge  of  the  same. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

On  receipt  of  this  order,  after  turning  over  his  command 
to  General  Ord,  General  McClernand  sent  the  following  to 
General  Grant : 

BATTLE-FIELD  NEAR  YICKSBURG,  Miss.,   [ 
June  20,  1863.  f 

Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  Commanding  Department  Tennessee : 

Your  note  relieving  me,  and  appointing  Major-General  Ord  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  is  received. 

Having  been  appointed  by  the  President  to  the  command  of  thai 
corps,  under  a  definite  act  of  Congress,  I  might  justly  challenge  your 
authority  in  the  premises,  but  forbear  to  do  so  at  present. 

I  am  quite  willing  that  any  statement  of  fact  in  my  congratulatory  or 
der  to  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  to  which  you  think  just  exception 
may  be  taken,  should  be  made  the  subject  of  investigation,  not  doubting 
the  result.  Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  A.  MCCLERNAND. 

That  no  ill  feeling  existed  between  the  commanders  is 
evident  from  the  concluding  paragraph  of  General  Mc- 
Clernand's  report  of  the  part  taken  by  himself  and  his  corps 
in  the  Yicksburg  campaign.  The  report  is  dated  two  days 
after  he  was  removed  from  command,  and  closes  with  the 
following  words : 

"  Sympathizing  with  the  general  commanding  the  noble  army  of  the 
Tennessee,  in  the  loss  of  so  many  brave  men,  killed  and  wounded,  I  can 
not  but  congratulate  him  in  my  thankfulness  to  Providence  upon  the  many 
and  signal  successes  which  have  crowned  hvi  arms  in  a.  just  cause." 
12* 


274  GENERAL    GRANT 

It  had  been  reported  in  the  rebel  army  that  General 
Pemberton  had  "  sold"  the  battle-fields  of  Champion's  Hill 
and  Big  Black  River  Bridge.  After  the  repulse  of  the 
Union  assault  upon  the  works  at  Vicksburg,  General  Pem 
berton  made  the  following  brief  but  pithy  speech  to  his 
command : 

You  have  heard  that  I  was  incompetent  and  a  traitor,  and  that  it  was 
my  intention  to  sell  Vicksburg.  Follow  me,  and  you  will  see  the  cost 
at  which  I  will  sell  Vicksburg.  When  the  last  pound  of  beef,  bacon,  and 
flour ;  the  last  grain  of  corn;  the  last  cow,  and  hog,  and  horse,  and  dog  shall 
have  been  consumed,  and  the  last  man  shall  have  perished  in  the  trenches,  then, 
and  only  then,  will  I  sell  Vicksburg. 

The  above  will  show  with  what  determination  the  rebels 
intended  to  resist  the  advance  of  General  Grant  and  the 
reduction  of  their  fortified  city. 

In  the  mean  time  Colonel  Cornyn's  Brigade  of  Union 
cavalry  was  making  very  successful  raids  into  Alabama, 
etc.,  destroying  lines  of  communication,  factories,  mills, 
workshops,  ammunition,  ordnance  stores,  depots  of  sup 
plies,  and  other  valuable  property  belonging  to  the  rebel 
government,  or  its  military  authorities.  Private  prop 
erty,  however,  was  almost  universally  respected,  with 
the  exception  of  such  supplies  as  were  needful  for  his  com 
mand,  and  for  which  proper  receipts  were  given. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  275 


CHAPTER  XXXVHI. 

THE    SIEGE   OF   VICKSBURG. 

AFTER  the  failure  of  the  assault  of  May  22d>  upon  the 
works  of  Yicksburg,  General  Grant  determined  to  resort 
to  the  slow,  but  certain  method  of  a  regular  siege.  The 
troops  having  been  now  made  fully  aware  of  the  necessity 
of  taking  the  works  by  regular  approaches,  performed 
their  part  with  alacrity,  diligence  and  cheerfulness. 

The  advance  of  each  corps  was  pushed  up  as  close  as 
possible  to  the  rebel  works,  which  were  nearly  invested  by 
the  troops  already  under  General  Grant's  command.  But 
still  there  were  points  at  which  portions  of  the  rebel  garri 
son  would  slip  out,  and  supplies  be  taken  into  their  works. 
The  communication  between  General  Johnston,  who  was  at 
Canton,  Miss.,  and  General  Pemberton  at  Vicksburg,  was 
but  partially  interrupted,  and  while  this  leak  existed,  it  was 
impossible  to  reduce  the  place  by  siege.  General  Herron's 
command  was  therefore  withdrawn  from  northwestern  Ar 
kansas,  and  added  to  the  force  at  the  extreme  left  of  the 
Union  lines.  This  secured  the  complete  investment  of  the 
fortified  city. 

The  position  of  the  army  at  the  end  of  May  was  as  fol 
lows  : 

General  Grant  was  well  up  to  the  rebel  fortifications, 
and  was  daily  enlarging  and  strengthening  his  own.  The 
extreme  left,  occupied  by  General  Herron,  was  so  situated 
topographically  as  to  require  less  formidable  opposing 


276  GENERAL   GEANT 

works  than  at  any  other  point ;  but  even  there  the  works 
were  on  a  scale  sufficiently  important  to  successfully  oppose 
any  demonstration  the  rebels  might  make  in  that  direction. 

The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  had  the  perfect  range  of 
the  forts  opposite  their  position,  and  kept  down  the  rebel 
sharpshooters,  and  prevented  the  successful  working  of 
rebel  artillery. 

The  Seventeenth  Corps  planted  a  heavy  battery  of  siege 
guns  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  opposing  fort,  and  ex 
pected  to  do  excellent  service  in  battering  down  the  earth 
works.  Advantage  had  been  taken  of  the  topographical 
peculiarities  of  the  ground,  and  a  covered  pathway  had 
been  constructed,  through  which  the  canonniers  could 
pass  to  and  fro  without  danger  from  the  sharpshooters. 

The  Fifteenth  Corps,  on  the  extreme  right,  was  equally 
busy.  General  Tuttle,  of  this  corps,  had  constructed  a  fort, 
the  guns  of  which  enfiladed  one  of  the  enemy's  most  im 
portant,  and,  to  us,  destructive  positions.  This,  of  course, 
rendered  it  practically  useless,  and,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
line  of  rifle-pits  on  the  Vicksburg  side,  which  commanded 
the  interior,  it  might  have  been  stormed  arid  carried  any 
time. 

General  Blair  held  Haines  Bluff,  and  the  country  be 
tween  the  Yazoo  and  the  Big  Black  River. 

About  this  time,  the  Union  commanding  general  dis 
covered  an  intention  on  the  part  of  the  rebel  forces  un 
der  General  Johnston  to  advance  and  attack  General 
Grant's  army  in  the  rear.  The  manner  in  which  the  latter 
officer  obtained  his  information  is  thus  related  by  one  of 
the  officers  of  his  army : 

General  Pemberton  was  anxious  to  indicate  to  General  Johnston  his 
exact  situation,  and  sent  a  trusty  fellow,  named  Douglas — son  of  a  prom 
inent  citizen  of  Illinois,  who  several  years  since  migrated  to  Texasj 
and  there  joined  the  rebel  service — through  his  lines,  with  instructions 
to  make  his  way  by  night  past  the  Union  pickets,  and,  seizing  the  first 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  277 

horse  he  met,  to  ride  to  General  Johnston  at  Jackson.  On  the  night  of 
May  27th,  at  dark,  lie  started,  and,  holding  a  pass  from  Pemberton,  was 
allowed  to  leave  the  inclosure  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  Young  Doug 
las  had,  unknown  to  his  superiors,  for  a  long  time  meditated  escape,  and 
he  could  not  neglect  this  golden  opportunity.  Instead  of  trying  to 
avoid  our  pickets,  therefore,  he  marched  boldly  up  to  them,  and  surren 
dered  himself  a  prisoner.  General  Lauman  conversed  with  him  long 
enough  to  discover  that  there  was  meat  in  that  shell,  and  sent  him  to 
General  Grant.  To  him  he  delivered  the  message  he  was  instructed  to 
deliver  to  Johnston.  It  was  in  effect  as  follows: — "I  have  15,000  men 
in  Vicksburg,  and  rations  for  thirty  days — one  meal  a  day.  Come  to 
my  aid  with  an  army  of  30,000  men.  Attack  Grant  in  his  rear.  If  you 
cannot  do  this  within  ten  days  you  had  better  retreat.  Ammunition  is 
almost  exhausted,  particularly  percussion  caps."  This  is  the  substance 
of  the  message,  although  not  its  exact  terms.  Douglas  volunteered  also 
other  valuable  information,  which  leaves  no  doubt  of  the  ultimate  cap 
ture  of  the  rebel  army. 

General  Pemberton  saw  plainly  that  the  siege  might  be 
a  long  one,  and  as  his  supplies  had  been  cut  off,  he,  for  the 
sake  of  economizing  rations,  ordered  every  horse  and  mule, 
except  those  used  by  field  and  staff  officers,  to  be  turned 
outside  his  lines.  Of  those  thus  turned  out,  the  Union  troops 
secured  several  thousand.  When  General  Grant  first 
opened  a  concentrated  fire  upon  Vicksburg  from  his  lines 
of  circumvallation,  the  rebel  herd  of  beef  cattle  was  ex 
posed  and  a  large  number  killed.  The  rebels  soon  re 
moved  these  animals  to  a  place  of  greater  safety. 

In  order  to  prevent  Johnston's  forces  from  getting  to  the 
rear  of  General  Grant's  army,  General  Osterhaus,  with  his 
division,  was  sent  to  the  Big  Black  River  to  guard  the 
crossings,  and  to  resist  any  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  force 
a  passage.  A  reconnoissance  was  also  sent  out  under  Gen 
eral  Blair  to  ascertain  the  position  of  Johnston's  army, 
and  reported  no  enemy  within  striking  distance. 

The  following  is  a  brief  account  of  what  was  accom 
plished  by  the  expedition  under  General  Blair : 


278  GENERAL 

Information  reaching  the  ears  of  the  commanding  general,  that 
Johnston,  in  possession  of  a  considerable  force,  was  moving  towards  the 
Big  Black  River  with  an  intention  of  making  a  demonstration  on  our 
army  now  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  induced  the  movement  of  a  suffi 
cient  body  of  troops  in  that  direction,  to  meet  the  approaching  enemy, 
if  found,  as  reported,  and  engage  him  before  he  could  effect  a  crossing, 
or  at  every  hazard  to  repel  any  attempt  he  might  make  to  secure  a  foot 
hold  on  this  side.  Accordingly,  an  expedition  was  sent  out  under  Gene 
ral  F.  P.  Blair,  Jr.,  composed  of  men  selected  from  each  corps  of  the 
army,  with  their  artillery  and  a  command  of  cavalry.  On  the  27th  of 
May,  the  party  started  on  their  mission,  and  marching  hastily  towards 
Mechanicsburg,  the  cavalry  in  advance,  when  near  that  place,  fell  in 
with  about  one  thousand  men,  partly  of  the  Twentieth  Mississippi 
mounted  infantry,  commanded  by  Colonel  Wirt  Adams,  and  the  rest, 
composed  of  detachments,  all  under  command  of  General  Adams.  A 
brisk  skirmish  ensued,  resulting  in  forcing  back  our  cavalry.  The  in 
fantry  was  soon  formed  and  thrown  forward,  and  after  a  brief  engage 
ment  the  enemy  left  the  field  in  haste. 

This  affair  being  over,  the  troops  pushed  forward,  scouring  the  coun 
try  in  all  directions,  seizing  stock,  bacon,  and  every  other  thing  useful 
to  the  enemy.  The  advance  marched  within  twenty  miles  of  Yazoo 
City,  without  meeting  any  force,  then  struck  across  the  country  and  re 
turned  to  take  their  part  in  the  investment  of  Yicksburg. 

The  facts  collected  concerning  the  enemy  were,  that  Johnston  had  at 
his  call  twenty  thousand  men  at  Canton,  and  a  similar  number  at  Jack 
son.  This  force  was  composed  of  very  old  and  young  men,  all  con 
scripted  for  the  occasion,  and  were  without  arms.  His  serviceable  force 
did  not  number  more  than  fifteen  thousand,  though  by  the  inhabitants  it 
is  estimated  much  higher. 

The  expedition  returned,  confident  that  no  fears  should  be  entertained 
of  serious  difficulty  from  the  direction  of  the  Big  Black,  at  any  rate  for 
some  time.  His  last  experience  had  so  intimidated  the  rebel  general 
that  there  was  little  danger  of  great  boldness  on  his  part,  and  so  long 
as  he  remained  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  General  Grant  was  in 
formed  that  he  need  have  no  concern  about  him.  Our  cavalry  was  al 
ways  in  movement  in  that  direction,  and  kept  close  watch  on  all  his 
plans. 

The  captures  made  during  the  expedition  amounted  to  five  hundred 
head  of  cattle,  five  hundred  horses  and  mules,  one  hundred  bales  of  cot 
ton,  and  ten  thousand  pounds  of  bacon.  All  bridges  were  either  burned 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  279 

or  demolished,  and  all  forage  destroyed.     In  a  word,  the  country  was 
divested  of  every  thing  useful  to  the  enemy.* 

In  the  mean  time,  General  Grant  set  the  sappers  and  mi 
ners  at  work  upon  the  most  eligible  sites.  Mines  were 
dug,  powder  planted,  and  every  thing  made  ready  to  blow 
up  the  advanced  works,  at  the  shortest  notice.  The  rebel 
works,  in  the  front  and  rear,  were  also  bombarded,  at  in 
tervals,  night  and  day,  first  by  the  fleet,  then  from  the  ap 
proaching  parallels  of  the  U.  S.  forces  and  so  alternately, 
during  the  whole  month  of  the  siege.  And  as  the  shells 
would  burst  in  the  works,  it  would  inspire  the  men  to  re 
new  their  task  with  greater  vigor. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  under 
General  Parke,  and  a  part  of  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps, 
under  General  Washburne,  was  added  to  General  Grant's 
command,  and  by  him  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Big 
Black  River,  to  resist  any  movement  of  Johnston,  and,  if 
necessary,  to  attack  and  drive  him  back. 

It  had  also  been  reported  that  General  Johnston  was 
again  approaching  the  Big  Black  River,  with  a  very  large 
improvised  force.  About  this  time  a  courier  was  captured, 
who  had  managed  to  get  out  of  Yicksburg  during  the 
night,  and  had  passed  the  picket  lines  under  cover  of  the 
darkness.  He  had  upon  him  a  number  of  letters  from  the 
rebel  soldiers,  to  their  wives.  The  men  wrote  in  a  sad 
tone ;  but  stated  that  they  were  resigned,  and  put  their 
trust  in  the  Lord.  They,  however,  still  lived  in  hopes  of 
Joe  Johnston  coming  to  their  relief.  An  expedition  was 
then  formed  to  resist  the  advance  of  General  Johnston's 
forces,  and  General  Sherman  was  placed  in  command. 
General  Grant,  in  his  notes  to  General  Sherman,  accompa 
nying  the  order  for  the  movement,  spoke  of  these  letters. 

*  Correspondence  of  the  New  York  Herald. 


280  GENERAL   GRANT 

"They  seem,"  said  he,  "to  put  a  great  deal  of  faith  in 
the  Lord,  and  Joe  Johnston,  but  you  must  whip  Johnston 
at  least  fifteen  miles  from  here." 

The  following  order,  to  General  Parke,  shows  the  same 
decided  determination  with  regard  to  Johnston's  forces : 

June  22,  1863. 

GENERAL  PARKE: — Sherman  goes  out  from  here  with  five  brigades, 
and  Osterhaus's  Division  subject  to  his  orders  besides.  In  addition  to 
this,  another  division,  5,000  strong,  is  notified  to  be  in  readiness  to  move 
on  notice.  In  addition  to  this,  I  can  spare  still  another  division,  6,000 
strong,  if  they  should  be  required.  We  want  to  whip  Johnston  at  least 
fifteen  miles  off,  if  possible.  IT.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 

The  result  of  the  movement  was,  that  General  Johnston, 
finding  General  Grant's  position  to  be  as  strong  in  the  rear 
as  it  was  in  the  front,  and  that  Yicksburg  was  certainly 
doomed,  gave  up  all  hope  of  diverting  the  attacking  general 
from  his  settled  purpose,  and  retreated  towards  Jackson. 


AND  HIS  CAMPAIGNS.  281 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

THE   EXPLOSION   OF   THE   MINES. 

THE  sappers  and  miners  pushed  on  their  work  with  a 
steady  perseverance,  until,  on  June  25th,  1863,  the  mines 
were  ready  to  be  sprung.  All  the  time  the  excavations  had 
been  in  progress  a  most  rigid  guard  had  been  kept  upon 
the  entrances,  and  even  the  field  and  line  officers  of  General 
Grant's  army  were  not  allowed  to  inspect  the  saps  and 
mines.  The  utmost  possible  secrecy  was  observed  con 
cerning  them,  and  though  some  knew  the  intention  to  blow 
up  the  enemy's  works,  yet  how  or  where  it  was  to  be  done 
was  a  matter  known  to  but  few.  The  guards  at  the  head 
of  the  saps  leading  to  the  entrance  of  the  mine,  were  in 
structed  to  allow  no  one  to  pass  under  the  rank  of  a  general, 
with  an  exception  in  the  case  of  engineers  and  workmen 
immediately  in  charge. 

The  following  is  a  brief  description  of  the  mining 
operations  that  were  performed  under  General  Grant's 
directions : 

In  order  to  reach  the  main  sap  running  to  the  mine,  it 
was  necessary  to  traverse  a  distance  of  three  hundred  yards, 
in  front  of  the  enemy's  main  work.  To  do  this  a  series  of 
trenches  were  dug,  taking  directions  at  no  time  exposed 
to  an  enfilading  fire  from  the  enemy,  yet,  at  every  yard, 
approaching  nearer  and  nearer,  with  perfect  safety  to  the 
sappers.  In  these  works  a  number  of  sharpshooters  were 
posted  to  keep  the  enemy  from  looking  over  and  discovering 


282  GENERAL   GRANT 

or  interfering  with  the  labors  of  the  mining  party.  In 
different  locations  along  the  works,  Imtteries  were  thrown 
up  and  guns  mounted,  which  had  excellent  battering 
positions. 

A  number  of  other  heavy  batteries  were  also  in  working 
order,  but  in  locations  that  did  not  possess  the  advantages 
of  those  already  mentioned. 

From  the  head  of  the  trench  to  the  mouth  of  the  mine 
ran  a  ditch  about  six  feet  wide  and  six  feet  deep,  the  earth 
of  which  was  thrown  upon  the -surface  towards  the  enemy. 
This  afforded  double  security  and  protection  against  the 
enemy's  projectiles.  The  length  of  this  trench  was  about 
thirty-five  yards. 

On  approaching  the  mine,  the  visitor,  on  looking  round, 
found  himself  in  plain  view  and  within  five  yards  of  the 
enemy's  strongest  work,  the  parapet  of  which  was  about 
twenty  feet  from  the  bottom  of  the  ditch.  This  work  was 
evidently  of  sod,  almost  perpendicular  on  its  outer  face, 
intended  to  mount  four  guns, -and  was  supposed  to  be  the 
keep  of  the  rebel  position.  A  few  steps  in  advance,  and  the 
visitor  was  before  the  mine,  which  here  had  the  appearance 
of  a  square  shaft  dug  into  the  earth,  with  a  gradual  declivity 
as  you  penetrate.  The  entrance  was  made  in  the  scarp  of 
the  enemy's  fort,  and  presented  an  opening  four  feet  square, 
well  framed  with  timber  to  keep  up  the  loose  earth  which 
the  projectiles  of  the  attacking  party  had  broken  from  the 
face  of  the  work.  In  order  to  protect  the  entrance  a  num 
ber  of  gabions  and  boxes  had  been  piled  up  before  the  mouth, 
and  afforded  ample  security  from  hand  grenades  and  shell 
thrown  over  by  the  rebel  troops  inside. 

The  main  gallery,  from  the  mouth  to  the  point  of  diver 
gence  of  the  other  galleries,  measured  thirty-five  feet. 
Here  three  smaller  galleries  set  out,  one  ten  feet  deep, 
obliquely  to  the  left ;  another  eight  feet,  diverging  to  the 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  283 

right,  and  a  third,  eight  feet  in  length,  being  a  continuation 
of  the  main  gallery.  The  chambers  for  the  reception  of 
the  powder  were  let  into  the  bottom  of  the  shaft,  and  were 
about  two  feet  in  depth. 

Having  completed  one  gallery,  the  powder  was  brought 
up  and  packed  into  the  chambers  in  almost  equal  quantities, 
the  entire  quantity  used  being  twenty-two  hundred  pounds, 
one  thousand  of  which  were  placed  at  the  end  of  the  main 
gallery,  the  remainder  being  distributed  in  the  extremities 
of  the  smaller  galleries.  From  each  of  the  chambers  a  fuse 
was  run  out  to  the  mouth  of  the  shaft,  where  the  match 
was  to  be  applied  at  the  designated  time. 

The  working  party  engaged  on  the  mines  was  formed  of 
a  detail  from  various  regiments  under  General  Grant,  a  call 
being  made  to  forward  to  head-quarters  all  practical  miners 
in  the  regiments.  Accordingly  in  a  few  hours  fifty  picked 
men,  chiefly  Welsh,  Scotch,  English,  and  Irish,  of  experience 
in  the  old  country,  were  immediately  organized  into  a  corps, 
under  the  direct  command  of  a  miner  of  reputation.  This 
party  reported  to  the  chief  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  and 
the  work  at  once  commenced,  the  entire  time  occupied  for 
the  excavation  being  forty  hours. 

Another  sap  was  also,  on  the  last  day,  run  off  to  the  left, 
at  an  angle  to  the  main  one  leading  to  the  mine.  This  sap 
ran  parallel  to  the  enemy's  breastwork  and  just  outside  of 
where  ran  the  exterior  end  of  the  ditch,  which  had  been 
partly  filled.  The  object  of  this  new  sap  was  to  afford  a 
secure  place  for  the  Union  sharpshooters,  and  enable  them 
to  hold  their  ground  on  the  right  by  keeping  down  a  flank 
fire.  The  length  of  the  sap  was  about  fifty  yards. 

It  may  be  supposed  by  some  that  the  running  of  mines  is 
the  mere  operation  of  the  pick  and  shovel,  without  inter 
ference  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  by  means  of  the  same 
instruments,  as  well  as  by  his  riflemen  picking  off  the  men 


284  GENERAL   GKANT 

as  they  approach,  or  by  throwing  hand  grenades  and  shell 
over  the  parapet  amongst  the  men.  This  idea  is  quite 
different  from  the  reality.  A  few  facts  connected  with  the 
proceedings  may  enable  the  reader  to  form  some  notion  of 
this  dangerous  operation.  The  work  is  generally  per 
formed  after  dark ;  and  on  the  night  preceding  the  explosion 
of  June  25lh,  1863,  the  working  party  returned  to  the  mine, 
already  a  depth  of  thirty-five  feet,  which  was  the  entire 
number  of  feet  of  the  main  gallery.  The  men  had  but 
fairly  commenced  when  they  heard,  as  they  supposed,  near 
by,  the  picking  and  shovelling  of  another  party,  which 
they  knew  to  be  the  enemy,  endeavoring  to  intercept  the 
Union  mine.  The  men  of  the  attacking  side  at  once  desist 
ed  from  their  labors,  and  applied  their  ears  to  the  walls  of 
the  gallery  in  order  to  detect  the  direction  of  approach, 
if  possible,  of  the  enemy's  countermine.  Soon,  however, 
the  enemy  fcimself  ceased  his  labors.  The  Unionists  once 
more  resumed  operations,  and  worked  until  midnight,  the 
enemy  working  at  the  same  time,  and  seemingly  approach 
ing  the  outside  shaft.  "At  this  juncture,"  says  a  corre 
spondent,  "  an  unexpected  panic  overcame  the  workers,  and 
they  hurried  out  of  the  mine  with  considerable  dispatch. 
The  cause  of  this  excitement  is  said  to  have  been  a 
suspicion  that  the  enemy  was  about  to  blow  up  his  own 
mine,  in  view  of  counteracting  our  own.  Accordingly 
nothing  was  done  until  morning,  when  the  party,  reassured, 
renewed  their  work." 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  firing  and  ex 
plosion  of  the  mine  is  given  by  an  army  correspondent 
who  witnessed  the  whole  affair : 

At  three  o'clock  this  afternoon  a  messenger  arrived  from  the  mine, 
bringing  information  that  every  thing  was  in  readiness  to  apply  the- 
match.  The  troops  in  the  outer  works  were  all  withdrawn,  with  the 
exception  of  a  small  body  of  sharpshooters,  who  were  retained  to  keep 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  285 

up  a  demonstration  until  the  fuse  was  ignited,  when  they,  also,  were  to 
retire  hastily  to  a  respectful  distance  under  cover  of  one  of  the  paral 
lels. 

As  part  of  the  grand  programme,  Leggett's  Brigade  was  ordered 
under  arms,  and  marched  into  the  trenches  as  near  the  front  as  safety 
would  permit.  Here  they  rested,  awaiting  the  preconcerted  signal,  when 
they  were  to  rush  upon  the  work  immediately  on  the  heels  of  the  forlorn 
hope,  which  dangerous  duty  was  set  apart  for  a  detachment  of  one  hun 
dred  men  from  the  Forty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  another  hundred 
from  the  Twenty-third  Indiana.  These  bodies  were  thrown  out  in  the 
extreme  advance,  with  instructions  for  the  Forty-fifth  Illinois  to  assault 
on  the  right  on  Fort  Hill,  the  moment  the  explosion  had  taken  place, 
and  the  Twenty-third  Indiana  was  to  rush  out  the  sap  running  to  the 
left  and  attack  the  curtain  of  the  fort  extending  towards  the  town. 
Here  they  were  to  keep  down,  by  means  of  musketry,  the  enemy's  rifle 
men  ;  for  without  this  accomplished,  we  would  have  suffered  an  enfila 
ding  fire  on  the  attackers  upon  the  main  fort. 

As  a  support  to  the  brigade  of  Leggett,  General  Stephenson's  com 
mand  was  ordered  to  hold  itself  in  readiness  to  move  at  a  moment's  no 
tice.  As  an  additional  force,  and  kind  of  reserve  to  the  support,  the 
Seventeenth  Iowa  and  Fifty-sixth  Illinois,  of  General  John  E.  Smith's 
Division,  and  the  Seventeenth  Wisconsin,  of  Ransom's  Brigade,  Mc- 
Arthur's  Division,  were  brought  to  the  centre  and  held  to  the  rear  to 
await  the  development  of  the  struggle.  These  troops  carried  nothing 
with  them  but  their  muskets  and  cartridge  boxes ;  many  of  them  were  in 
their  shirt  sleeves,  evidently  anticipating  warm  work,  if  engaged. 

As  might  be  supposed,  the  explosion  was  designated  as  the  signal 
for  a  general  simultaneous  co-operation  all  along  the  lines  from  right 
to  left.  In  making  an  attack  of  this  character,  it  was  expected  that 
the  attention  of  the  enemy  would  be  distracted,  and  the  force  within 
be  distributed  along  the  entire  line,  instead  of  being  concentrated  upon 
the  one  fort  in  front  of  this  corps,  which  would  result  in  inevitable,  per 
haps  irreparable  defeat.  All  these  contingencies  were  wisely  considered, 
and  the  subsequent  results  exemplified  how  necessary  was  the  co-opera 
tion  of  the  other  commands. 

Every  thing  was  finished.  The  vitalizing  spark  had  quickened  the 
hitherto  passive  agent,  and  the  now  harmless  flashes  went  hurrying  to 
the  centre.  The  troops  had  been  withdrawn.  The  forlorn  hope  stood 
out  in  plain  view,  boldly  awaiting  the  uncertainties  of  the  precarious 
office.  A  chilling  sensation  ran  through  the  frame  as  an  observer  looked 


286  GENERAL   GRANT 

down  upon  this  devoted  band  about  to  hurl  itself  into  the  breach — per 
chance  into  the  jaws  of  death.  Thousands  of  men  in  arms  flashed  on 
every  hill.  Every  one  was  speechless.  Even  men  of  tried  valor — vet 
erans  insensible  to  the  shouts  of  contending  battalions,  or  nerved  to  the 
shrieks  of  comrades  suffering  under  the  torture  of  painful  agonies — 
stood  motionless  as  they  directed  their  eyes  upon  the  spot  where  soon 
the  terror  of  a  buried  agency  would  discover  itself  in  wild  concussions 
and  contortions,  carrying  annihilation  to  all  within  the  scope  of  its  tre 
mendous  power.  It  was  the  seeming  torpor  which  precedes  the  antago 
nism  of  powerful  bodies.  Five  minutes  had  elapsed.  It  seemed  like  an 
existence.  Five  minutes  more,  and  yet  no  signs  of  the  expected  exhibi 
tion  An  indescribable  sensation  of  impatience,  blended  with  a  still  active 
anticipation,  ran  through  the  assembled  spectators.  A  small  pall  of 
smoke  now  discovered  itself;  every  one  thought  the  crisis  had  come, 
and  almost  saw  the  terrific  scene  which  the  mind  had  depicted.  But 
not  yet.  Every  eye  now  centered  upon  the  smoke,  momentarily  grow 
ing  greater  and  greater.  Thus  another  five  minutes  wore  away,  and 
curiosity  was  not  satisfied.  Another  few  minutes,  then  the  explosion; 
and  upon  the  horizon  could  be  seen  an  enormous  column  of  earth,  dust, 
timbers,  and  projectiles  lifted  into  the  air  at  an  altitude  of  at  least  eighty 
feet.  One  entire  face  of  the  fort  was  disembodied  and  scattered  in 
particles  all  over  the  surrounding  surface.  The  right  and  left  faces 
were  also  much  damaged ;  but  fortunately  enough  of  them  remained  to 
afford  an  excellent  protection  on  our  flanks. 

No  sooner  had  the  explosion  taken  place  than  the  two  detachments 
acting  as  the  forlorn  hope  ran  into  the  fort  and  sap,  as  already  mention 
ed.  A  brisk  musketry  fire  at  once  commenced  between  the  two  parties, 
with  about  equal  effect  upon  either  side.  N"o  sooner  had  these  detach 
ments  become  well  engaged  than  the  rest  of  Leggett's  Brigade  joined 
them  and  entered  into  the  struggle.  The  regiments  relieving  each 
other  at  intervals,  the  contest  now  grew  severe;  both  sides,  determined 
upon  holding  their  own,  were  doing  their  best.  Volley  after  volley  was 
fired,  though  with  less  carnage  than  would  be  supposed.  The  Forty- 
fifth  Illinois  charged  immediately  up  to  the  crest  of  the  parapet,  and 
here  suffered  its  heaviest,  losing  many  officers  in  the  assault. 

After  a  severe  contest  of  half  an  hour,  with  varying  results,  the  flag 
of  the  Forty-fifth  appeared  upon  the  summit  of  the  work.  The  position 
was  gained.  Cheer  after  cheer  broke  through  the  confusion  and  uproar 
of  the  contest,  assuring  the  troops  everywhere  along  the  line  that  the 
Forty-fifth  was  still  itself.  The  colonel  was  now  left  alone  in  command 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  287 

of  the  regiment,  and  he  was  himself  badly  bruised  by  a  flying  splinter. 
The  regiment  had  also  suffered  severely  in  the  line,  and  the  troops  were 
worn  out  by  excessive  heat  and  hard  lighting. 

Relief  was  necessary.  Accordingly  another  Illinois  regiment  was 
ordered  up  and  the  Forty-fifth  drawn  off— this  was  six  o'clock  p.  at. 
After  this  the  action  was  kept  up  briskly  but  steadily  for  several  hours, 
until  dusk,  when  the  firing  lulled  and  the  men  took  a  respite.  While 
the  Forty-fifth  was  so  hotly  engaged  in  the  fort,  the  Twenty-third  Indi 
ana  followed  its  first  detachment  into  the  sap,  from  which  place  they 
were  to  hold  the  rebels  at  bay  during  the  contest  for  the  fort.  The  reb 
els  fought  desperately  as  well  at  this  point  as  the  other ;  but  the  char 
acter  of  the  engagement  was  different,  the  troops  firing  at  each  other 
over  breastworks  of  earth.  This  regiment  displayed  great  gallantry  and 
did  excellent  service  in  its  way.  In  consequence  of  the  limited  space  in 
which  to  fight,  not  more  than  one  regiment  could  act  in  either  place  at 
the  same  time;  accordingly  regiments  were  relieved  by  regiments  as 
rapidly  as  the  necessities  of  the  occasion  demanded. 

During  the  hottest  of  the  action  General  Leggett  was  in  the  fort  in  the 
midst  of  his  troops,  sharing  their  dangers  and  partaking  of  their  glory. 
While  here,  a  shell  from  one  of  the  enemy's  guns  exploded  in  a  timber 
lying  on  the  parapet,  distributing  splinters  in  all  directions,  one  of  which 
struck  the  General  on  the  breast,  knocking  him  over.  Though  some 
what  bruised  and  stunned,  he  soon  recovered  himself,  and  taking  a  chair, 
sat  in  one  of  the  trenches  near  the  fort,  where  he  could  be  seen  by  his 
men. 

The  explosion  of  the  mine  was  the  signal  for  the  opening  of  the  artil 
lery  of  the  entire  line.  The  left  division  of  General  McPherson's  Seven 
teenth  or  centre  Corps  opened  first,  and  discharges  were  repeated  along 
the  left  through  General  Ord's  Thirteenth  Corps,  and  Herron's  extreme 
"left  division,"  until  the  sound  struck  the  ear  like  the  mutterings  of 
distant  thunder.  General  Sherman,  on  the  right,  also  opened  his  artil 
lery  about  the  same  time  and  occupied  the  enemy's  attention  along  his 
front.  Every  shell  struck  the  parapet,  and,  bounding  over,  exploded  in 
the  midst  of  the  enemy's  forces  beyond.  The  scene  at  this  time  was 
one  of  the  utmost  sublimity.  The  roar  of  artillery,  rattle  of  small  arms, 
the  cheers  of  the  men,  flashes  of  light,  wreathes  of  pale  blue  smoke  over 
different  parts  of  the  field,  the  bursting  of  shell,  the  fierce  whistle  of 
solid  shot,  the  deep  boom  of  the  mortars,  the  broadsides  of  the  ships  of 
•war,  and  added  to  all  this,  the  vigorous  replies  of  the  enemy,  set  up  a 
din  which  beggars  all  description.  The  peculiar  configuration  of  the 


288  GENERAL  GKANT 

lli-lii  Jifl''.r.!.-c|  MM  i.pp'.rt'mity  !<•  \vi!n«  H  lllMfl  «  fW]    IWtftMJ  :ni'!  VfMJ 

rifle-pit  within  seeing  distance,  and  it  is  due  to  all 
cvrrv  oni  ih.i  IIH  duty, 

After  tht  possession  of  the  fort  was  no  longer  in  .i..:ii.i,  i:..-  | 
corps  mounted  tho  work  with  their  shovels  and  sot  to  throwing ,. 
rigorously  in  order  to  secure  space  for  artillery.    A  m< 
culiarity  in  the  explosion  was  the  manner  in  which  the  • 

ii  out.    The  appearance  of  the  place  was  that  of  u  funnel,  with 
heavy  sides  running  up  to  the  very  crest  of  the  parapet,  afl«.r.iii 

for  our  troops  and  pioneer* ,  i  nut 

a  ready  made  fortification  in  tho  r<>u;:ii.  \\ln<  h,  with  a  slight  npph<- ..ii«n 
of  tho  shovel  and  pick,  was  ready  to  receive  the  guns  to  be  used  nt  this 
point. 

Miraculous  as  it  may  seem,  amid  all  the  fiery  or- ; 
engagement,  one  humircti  killed  und  two  hundred  womn!< •<[  h  u  large 
estimate  of  casualties  on  our  side. 

Fron.  i  on  the  summit  of  an  eminence  near  tin-  n •!>•  I 

the  movements  of  the  enemy  could  bo  plainly  watched.  An  imiix  i«lual 
in  the  tower,  just  prior  to  the  explosion  of  1 1  •  i  \\  <>  rebel  regi- 

<»ut  to  the  fort.    Of  a  sudden— PIT 

smoke  of  the  fuse— the  troops  turned  about  and  ran  towards  1 1.  •  t»un 
in  perfect  panic.    They  wore  not  seen  again  during  the 
regiments  were  bi  •  supply  thoir  place.* 

Another  correspondent  gives  the  following  brirf  *krt<-h 
of  tho  explosion: 

'I  1m  tnoniitiK  tho  work  was  cornplHnl.  .-ni  innn.  use  ipi.-iir 
Li  r  wiirt  Hton-d  in  iht)  i 

At  noon  tin*  «iiii-  i--nt  regiments  of  the  ^« 

Corps,  selected  to  make  the  assauli  apoo  the  bnvu-ii  win  n  .1   hoald  QAve 
been  oBected,  were  marshalled  in  long  lines  upon  the  near  slopes  of  tho 
hills  immediately  confronting  the  doomed  rebel  fortifications,  \\ !,.  • 
posed  for  the  attack,  they  impatiently  awaited  the  dcnou<- 
rebels  seemed  to  discover  that  some  movement  was  on  foot,  :• 
moment  our  troops  camo  into  position  until  the  explosion  tool. 
sharpshooters  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  from  tho  whole  In 
works. 
At  length  all  was  in  readiness ;  tho  fuse  train  wati  fired,  ami  n 

*  Mr.  Do  B.  Randolph  Koim's  dispatch  of  June  25th,  to  tho  yew  York 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  289 

fizzing  and  popping  through  the  zigzag  lino  of  trenches,  until  for  a 
moment  it  vanished.  Its  disappearance  was  quickly  succeeded  by  the 
explosion,  and  the  mine  was  sprung.  So  terrible  a  spectacle  is  seldom 
witnessed.  Dust,  dirt,  smoke,  gabions,  stockades,  timber,  gun-carriages, 
logs — in  fact,  every  thing  connected  with  the  fort — rose  hundreds  of  feet 
into  the  air,  as  if  vomited  forth  from  a  volcano.  Some  who  were  close 
spectators  even  say  that  they  saw  the  bodies  of  the  poor  wretches  who 
a  moment  before  had  lined  the  ramparts  of  the  work.* 

As  soon  as  the  explosion  had  taken  place,  the  greatest 
activity  was  manifested  along  the  whole  line,  under  the 
soul-inspiring  orders  of  General  Grant.  The  following  is 
a  specimen  of  the  emphatic  style  with  which  that  general 
calls  for  vigilance  on  the  part  of  his  troops : 

June  25,  1863. 

GENERAL  OBD  : — McPherson  occupies  the  crater  made  by  the  explosion, 
lie  will  have  guns  in  battery  there  by  morning.  He  has  been  hard  at 
work  running  rifle-pits  right,  and  thinks  he  will  hold  all  gained.  Keep 
Smith's  Division  sleeping  under  arms  to-night  ready  for  an  emergency. 
Their  services  may  be  required  particularly  about  daylight.  There  should 
be  the  greatest  vigilance  along  the  whole  line. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  gunboat  fleet  off  Warrenton  com 
menced  a  bombardment  of  the  enemy's  forts.  This  was 
kept  up  without  intermission  until  midnight,  when  it  was 
slackened  to  desultory  shots.  The  fuses  of  the  shells  as 
they  ascended  in  the  air  were  easily  distinguishable,  and 
looked  in  their  course  like  shooting  meteors.  When  they 
would  strike  the  shell  would  explode  with  a  terrific  report. 
Some  of  the  shells  exploded  in  the  air,  and  the  flashes  which 
they  emitted  looked  like  an  immense  piece  of  pyrotechny. 

*  Mr.  James  C.  Fitzpatrick's  dispatch  of  June  25th. 
13 


290  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XL. 

THE   SURRENDER    OF   VICKSBURG. 

AFTER  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  and  the  occupation  of 
that  part  of  the  rebel  works,  General  Grant  resumed  the 
operation  of  constructing  parallels,  for  the  purpose  of  ap 
proaching  near  enough  to  the  rebel  fortifications  to  take 
them  by  a  sudden  dash.  As  the  U.  S.  troops  advanced,  the 
rebels  retired,  constructing  inner  lines  of  defences  as  the 
outer  ones  were  taken.  On  the  28th  of  June  the  Union, 
lines  were  thirteen  hundred  yards  nearer  the  city  than  the 
original  works.  As  these  lines  were  advanced  on  all  sides 
at  the  same  time,  the  rebel  area  of  operations  became 
more  and  more  circumscribed. 

During  this  bombardment  every  effort  was  made  to  re 
duce  the  rebel  works  without  unnecessarily  damaging  the 
city.  On  this  subject  a  correspondent  writes  as  follows : 

Be  it  understood,  that  at  no  time  has  General  Grant  sought  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  city.  He  wishes  to  spare  it  for  the  city  itself,  and  because  it  con 
tains  women  and  children.  As  long  as  the  rebel  army  confines  its  opera 
tions  outside  its  limits  the  city  will  remain  intact.  If  it  had  been 
necessary  to  destroy  the  city,  our  guns  now  in  range  could  have  accom 
plished  the  work. 

The  capture  of  Yicksburg  is  a  foregone  conclusion.  We  get  the 
evidence  of  the  fact  from  the  rebels  themselves.  A  few  days  ago  a 
rebel  mail  was  captured  coming  out  from  Vicksburg,  in  which  were  let 
ters  from  prominent  men  in  the  rebel  army,  who  state  that  they  cannot 
hold  out  much  longer,  and  informing  their  friends  that  they  expect  to 
spend  their  summer  in  northern  prisons.  Better  evidence  of  the  con 
dition  of  things  in  the  rebel  army  cannot  be  desired. 

So  far  as  the  siege  of  this  place  goes,  I  presume  the  people  at  home, 


AND     HIS     CAMPAIGNS.  291 

in  their  easy  chairs,  think  it  ought  to  have  been  finished  long  since. 
To  such  let  me  say,  could  they  be  present  here,  and  make  a  tour  of  the 
country  in  this  vicinity,  and  see  the  configuration  of  the  country,  its 
broken  topography,  its  high  and  abrupt  hills,  deep  gullies,  gorges  and 
dilapidated  roads,  they  would  then  realize  the  difficulties  of  the  work. 
Then  there  is  a  large  army  to  feed,  great  materiel  to  be  brought  into 
position,  all  of  which  demands  large  transportation,  and  the  united  ef 
forts  of  thousands  of  men. 

General  Grant  acts  independently  of  opinions  of  the  public.  He 
lully  realizes  the  responsibility  of  his  position,  and  in  the  duty  before 
him,  he  is  determined  to  accomplish  his  work  with  as  great  an  economy 
of  human  life  as  possible.  He  feels  now  that  the  prize  is  within  his  grasp, 
and  a  little  patience  will  achieve  all,  which,  if  rashly  sought,  might  cost 
the  lives  of  the  brave  army  with  whom  he  has  gained  so  many  vic 
tories.* 

General  Sherman's  expedition  returned  from  the  special 
duty  assigned  it  without  meeting  anywhere  near  the  doom 
ed  city  the  rebel  army  under  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston. 
The  commander,  however,  obtained  sufficient  intelligence 
of  the  rebel  movements  to  decide  General  Grant  as  to  his 
plan  of  operations  immediately  after  the  reduction  of 
Vicksburg. 

The  bombardment  and  approaches  steadily  progressed, 
and  it  was  whispered  about  among  the  troops  that  on  the 
following  anniversary  of  the  day  of  Independence  a  grand 
assault  was  to  be  made,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  place 
by  storm.  The  rebels,  doubtless,  were  apprised  of  this 
fact,  or  at  least  suspected  it,  for,  on  the  morning  of  the 
previous  day,  July  3d,  1863,  a  flag  of  truce  left  the  rebel 
lines,  with  a  sealed  communication  for  General  Grant, 
borne  by  General  Bowen  and  Colonel  Montgomery.  The 
bearers  of  the  document  having  been  taken  to  the  nearest 
general  head-quarters,  a  courier  was  at  once  dispatched 
with  all  possible  haste  to  the  chief  commanding  office. 

*  Mr.  Charles  H.  Farrell's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald, 


292  GENERAL   GRANT 

On  opening  the  document  General  Grant  found  the  fol 
lowing  communication  addressed  to  himself: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  YICKSBURG,  July  3,  1863. 
Major-General  GRANT,  commanding  United  States  forces  : 

GENERAL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  propose  to  you  an  armistice  for  — 
hours,  with  a  view  to  arranging  terms  for  the  capitulation  of  Ticks- 
burg.  To  this  end,  if  agreeable  to  you,  I  will  appoint  three  commis 
sioners,  to  meet  a  like  number  to  be  named  by  yourself,  at  such  place 
and  hour  as  you  may  find  convenient.  I  make  this  proposition  to 
save  the  further  effusion  of  blood,  which  must  otherwise  be  shed  to  a 
frightful  extent,  feeling  myself  fully  able  to  maintain  my  position  for  a 
yet  indefinite  period.  This  communication  will  be  handed  you,  under 
a  flag  of  truce,  by  Major-General  James  Bowen. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.    C.    PEilBERTON. 

J>~ 

To  this  General  Grant  replied  as  follows  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  TENNESSEE,  ) 
IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  YICKSBURG,  July  3,  1863.  y 
Lieutenant-General  J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  commanding  Confederate  forces,  &c. : 
GENERAL  : — Your  note  of  this  date,  just  received,  proposes  an  armis 
tice  of  several  hours,  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  terms  of  capitula 
tion  through  commissioners  to  be  appointed,  &c.  The  effusion  of  blood 
you  propose  stopping  by  this  course,  can  be  ended  at  any  time  you  may 
choose,  by  an  unconditional  surrender  of  the  city  and  garrison.  Men  who 
have  shown  so  much  endurance  and  courage  as  those  now  in  Vicks- 
burg,  will  always  challenge  the  respect  of  an  adversary,  and  I  can 
assure  you  will  be  treated  with  all  the  respect  due  them  as  prisoners 
of  war.  I  do  not  favor  the  proposition  of  appointing  commissioners  to 
arrange  terms  of  capitulation,  because  I  have  no  other  terms  than  those 
indicated  above. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

TJ.  S.  GRANT.  Major- General. 

General  Bowen  expressed  a  wish  to  converse  with  the 
chief  General  on  this  important  matter;  but  the  latter  at 
once  declined.  General  Bowen  then  requested  that  Gen 
eral  Grant  would  meet  General  Pemberton  on  neutral 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  293 

ground,  as  more  could  be  arranged  at  one  personal  inter 
view  than  by  an  exchange  of  numerous  dispatches.  Gene 
ral  Grant  very  readily  replied  he  would  willingly  do  so  in 
person,  offering  to  meet  General  Pemberton  the  same 
afternoon  at  three  o'clock,  and  consult  with  him  on  the 
terms  he  would  grant  the  garrison.  This  reply  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  rebel  messengers,  who,  blindfolded, 
were  conducted  back  to  the  place  of  entrance  to  the  Union 
lines,  and  were  there  set  at  liberty,  to  return  to  General 
Pemberton  with  the  answer. 

Nothing  more  was  now  done  until  afternoon.  The  ar 
tillery  re-opened,  and  the  siege  went  on  as  before.  By 
noon,  however,  the  general  promulgated  his  orders,  requir 
ing  a  temporary  cessation  of  hostilities. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  interview  be 
tween  Generals  Grant  and  Pemberton,  is  given  by  one 
who  had  followed  the  army  during  the  whole  campaign : 

At  three  o'clock  precisely,  one  gun,  the  prearranged  signal,  was 
fired,  and  immediately  replied  to  by  the  enemy.  General  Pemberton 
then  made  his  appearance  on  the  works  in  McPherson's  front,  under 
a  white  flag,  considerably  on  the  left  of  what  is  known  as  Fort 
Hill.  General  Grant  rode  through  our  trenches  until  he  came  to  an 
outlet,  leading  to  a  small  green  space,  which  had  not  been  trod  by 
either  army.  Here  he  dismounted,  and  advanced  to  meet  General  Pem 
berton,  with  whom  he  shook  hands,  and  greeted  familiarly. 

It  was  beneath  the  outspreading  branches  of  a  gigantic  oak  that  the 
conference  of  the  generals  took  place.  Here  presented  the  only  space 
which  had  not  been  used  for  some  purpose  or  other  by  the  contending 
armies.  The  ground  was  covered  with  a  fresh,  luxuriant  verdure ;  here 
and  there  a  shrub  or  clump  of  bushes  could  be  seen  standing  out  from 
the  green  growth  on  the  surface,  while  several  oaks  filled  up  the 
scene,  and  gave  it  character.  Some  of  the  trees  in  their  tops  exhibited 
the  effects  of  flying  projectiles,  by  the  loss  of  limbs  or  torn  foliage,  and 
in  their  trunks  the  indentations  of  smaller  missiles  plainly  marked  the 
occurrences  to  which  they  had  beeu  silent  witnesses. 

The  party  made  up  to  take  part  in  the  conference  was  composed  as 
follows : 


294  GENERAL   GRANT 

United  States  Officers. 
Major-General  U.  S.  Grant. 
Major-General  James  B.  McPherson. 
Brigadier- General  A.  J.  Smith. 

Rebel  Officers. 

Lieutenant-General  John  0.  Pemberton. 

Major-General  Bowen. 

Colonel  Montgomery,  A.  A.-G.  to  General  Pemberton. 

When  Generals  Grant  and  Pemberton  met  they  shook  hands,  Colonel 
Montgomery  introducing  the  party.  A  short  silence  ensued,  at  the  ex 
piration  of  which  General  Pemberton  remarked : 

"  General  Grant,  I  meet  you  in  order  to  arrange  terms  for  the  capitu 
lation  of  the  city  of  Vicksburg  and  its  garrison.  What  terms  do  you 
demand?" 

"  Unconditional  surrender"  replied  General  Grant. 

"Unconditional  surrender?"  said  Pemberton.  "Never,  so  long  as  I 
have  a  man  left  me !  I  will  fight  rather." 

"  Then,  sir,  you  can  continue  the  defence,"  coolly  said  General  Grant. 
"My  army  has  never  been  in  a  better  condition  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
siege." 

During  the  passing  of  these  few  preliminaries,  General  Pemberton 
was  greatly  agitated,  quaking  from  head  to  foot,  while  General  Grant 
experienced  all  his  natural  self-possession,  and  evinced  not  the  least  sign 
of  embarrassment. 

After  a  short  conversation  standing,  by  a  kind  of  mutual  tendency 
the  two  generals  wandered  off  from  the  rest  of  the  party  and  seated 
themselves  on  the  grass,  in  a  cluster  of  bushes,  where  alone  they  talked 
over  the  important  events  then  pending.  General  Grant  could  be  seen, 
even  at  that  distance,  talking  coolly,  occasionally  giving  a  few  puffs  at 
his  favorite  companion — his  black  cigar.  General  McPherson,  General 
A.  J.  Smith,  General  Bowen,  and  Colonel  Montgomery,  imitating  the 
example  of  the  commanding  generals,  seated  themselves  at  some  distance 
off,  while  the  respective  staffs  of  the  generals  formed  another  and  larger 
group  in  the  rear. 

After  a  lengthy  conversation  the  generals  separated.  General  Pem 
berton  did  not  come  to  any  conclusion  on  the  matter,  but  stated  his 
intention  to  submit  the  matter  to  a  council  of  general  officers  of  his  com 
mand  ;  and,  in  the  event  of  their  assent,  the  surrender  of  the  city  should 
be  made  in  the  morning.  Until  morning  was  given  him  to  consider,  to 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  295 

determine  upon  the  matter,  and  send  in  his  final  reply.     The  generals 
now  rode  to  their  respective  quarters.* 

General  Grant  next  conferred  at  his  head-quarters  with 
his  corps  and  division  commanders,  and  sent  the  following 
letter  to  General  Pemberton,  by  the  hands  of  General  Logan 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wilson : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF   TENNESSEE,  ) 

NEAR  VICKSBURG,  July  3,  1863.  J 

Liiutenaut-General  J.  C.    PEMBERTON,   commaiiding  Confederate  forces, 

Vicksburg,  Miss: 

GENERAL  :  In  conformity  with  the  agreement  of  this  afternoon,  I  will 
submit  the  following  proposition  for  the  surrender  of  the  city  of  Vicks- 
burg,  public  stores,  &c.  On  your  accepting  the  terms  proposed,  I  will 
march  in  one  division,  as  a  guard,  and  take  possession  at  eight  o'clock 
to-morrow  morning.  As  soon  as  paroles  can  be  made  out  and  signed  by 
the  officers  and  men,  you  will  be  allowed  to  march  out  of  our  lines,  the 
officers  taking  with  them  their  regimental  clothing,  and  staff,  field,  and 
cavalry  officers  one  horse  each.  The  rank  and  file  will  be  allowed  all 
their  clothing,  but  no  other  property. 

If  these  conditions  are  accepted,  any  amount  of  rations  you  may  deem 
necessary  can  be  taken  from  the  stores  you  now  have,  and  also  the 
necessary  cooking  utensils  for  preparing  them;  thirty  wagons  also, 
counting  two  two-horse  or  mule  teams  as  one.  You  will  be  allowed  to 
transport  such  articles  as  cannot  be  carried  along.  The  same  conditions 
will  be  allowed  to  ail  sick  and  wounded  officers  and  privates,  as  fast  as 
they  become  able  to  travel  The  paroles  for  these  latter  must  be  signed, 
however,  whilst  officers  are  present,  authorized  to  sign  the  roll  of 

prisoners. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 

The  same  correspondent,  whose  description  of  the  inter 
view  between  the  generals  has  already  been  given,  writes 
under  date  of  July  4th,  as  follows  : 

From  the  time  of  the  breaking  up  of  the  conference  of  generals,  till 

*  Mr.  Keim's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald. 


296  GENERAL    GRANT 

/ 

this  morning,  when  the  surrender  became  an  irrevocable  fact,  the  im 
patience  and  restlessness  of  the  entire  army  was  greater  than  can 
possibly  be  imagined.  The  troops  ceased  their  customary  vigilance  and 
wandered  from  camp  to  camp  in  a  state  of  listless  reaction.  There  was 
no  firing  from  the  trenches  or  batteries,  for  orders  had  been  promulgated 
that  all  operations  of  a  hostile  character  should  cease  until  resumed  by 
authority  from  head-quarters.  This  10 as  the  first  instance  of  a  cessation 
of  firing  since  our  a>-rical.  The  existence  of  the  two  armies  was  not 
perceptible  except  in  the  presence  of  the  troops.  Everywhere  silence 
and  relaxation  reigned.  It  was  a  change  from  the  most  exacting  duty 
on  the  one  hand,  to  the  most  extreme  idleness  on  the  other.  The  only 
appearance  of  duty  by  either-  army  was  on  the  part  of  a  few  sentinels, 
national  and  rebel,  posted  at  various  points  along  our  lines  and  the  rebel 
works,  to  keep  back  the  curious  of  our  own  men,  as  well  as  to  stay  the 
desire  of  the  enemy  to  penetrate  within  our  lines  and  see  the  perfect 
network  of  approaches  by  means  of  which  we  have  advanced  unharmed 
up  to  the  very  ditches  of  their  forts. 

The  remainder  of  yesterday  was  passed  by  many  of  the  soldiers  of 
both  armies  in  chats  upon  various  matters  connected  with  the  campaign. 
Knots  of  a  half  dozen  of  our  men,  and  a  like  number  of  rebels,  could  be 
seen  here  and  there  reclining  upon  the  exterior  slope  of  the  enemy's 
works,  engaged  in  enthusiastic  conversation,  not  unfrequently  relieving 
its  monotony  by  physical  application  upon  each  other,  to  enforce  the 
veracity  of  their  assertions,  when  doubted  by  the  opposite  party.  Thus 
did  they  wile  away  the  hours  of  the  evening  until  tattoo,  when  the 
soldiers  of  each  side,  excepting  those  on  sentinel  duty,  disappeared. 

During  the  night  no  startling  occurrences  happened,  all  being  quiet. 

The  morning  of  this  thrice  glorious  Fourth  dawned  with  a  cloudless 
sky,  and,  even  ere  the  sun  had  risen,  the  camps  were  alive  with  an 
anticipating  and  impatient  set,  whose  loquacity  poured  itself  forth,  in  a 
confusion  of  languages  which  might  be  heard  ringing  in  the  clear  air  at 
a  distance  several  times  the  usual  compass  of  the  human  voice.  Nor 
were  the  speculations  of  the  men  less  various  than  their  language.  One 
had  his  reasons  for  knowing  that  the  rebels  were  using  the  present,  mo 
ments  of  respite  to  strengthen  themselves,  or  to  consolidate  their  force 
on  some  unexpected  point  of  attack,  or  perhaps  to  effect  some  other 
designs  equally  as  nefarious,  of  which  we  were  not  aware.  Some  said 
the  enemy  had  no  intention  of  surrendering,  but,  fearing  a  first  cla#s 
Fourth  of  July  bombardment,  they  hit  upon  the  present  plan  of  eluding 
such  a  direful  visitation  and  its  necessary  results.  In  this  way  rea- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  297 

soned  many.  Another  set  thought,  if  it  really  were  the  intention  of 
the  enemy  to  surrender,  it  was  time  they  were  coming  to  a  conclusion. 
They  "  could  not  see  why  they  did  not  do  so  at  once,"  they  "  thought 
the  rebels  were  playing  a  sharp  game,"  and  so  forth;  every  man  giving 
himself  a  vast  amount  of  unnecessary  trouble  and  concern. 

Thus  time  moved  along  heavily,  each  moment  passing  like  a  duration 
of  almost  weeks,  until  the  eventful  time  had  arrived,  and  it  was  known 
to  a  certainty  that  Vicksburg  had  indeed  surrendered. 

Having  a  few  hours  leisure  this  morning,  prior  to  the  arrival  of  the 
dispatch  from  General  Pemberton,  stating  he  was  ready  to  surrender,  I 
took  occasion  to  visit  General  Grant,  and  found  everybody  about  his 
head-quarters  in  a  state  of  the  liveliest  satisfaction.  It  was  evident  the 
glorious  events  of  the  day  were  duly  appreciated. 

The  General  I  found  in  conversation  more  animated  than  I  have  ever 
known  him.  He  is  evidently  contented  with  the  manner  in  which  he 
has  acquitted  himself  of  the  responsible  task  which  has  for  more  than 
five  months  engrossed  his  mind  and  his  army.  The  consummation  is 
one  of  which  he  may  well  be  proud.  From  Bruinsburg  to  Yicksburg, 
nineteen  days,  presents  one  of  the  most  active  records  of  marches,  actions, 
and  victories  of  the  war.  All  the  combined  operations  of  our  armies, 
for  a  similar  length  of  time,  cannot  equal  it.  It  is  unparalleled,  the  only 
campaign  of  the  war  ivhich  has  involved  celerity  of  movement,  attack,  victory, 
pursuit,  and  the  annihilation  of  the  enemy.  But  of  this  I  have  occasion  to 
speak  in  another  place,  and  will  therefore  drop  it  for  the  present. 

Among  other  things,  the  General  signified  his  intention  to  enter  into  an 
immediate  pursuit  of  the  rebel  Johnston.  He  was  ready  as  soon,  as  he 
received  Pemberton's  final  reply  to  order  the  troops  under  Sherman  (then 
resting  this  side  of  the  Big  Black)  across  the  river,  while  the  contingent 
forces  held  at  Haines  and  Snyder's  bluffs  were  to  follow,  overtake  and 
effect  a  junction  with  the  other  troops.  This  would  create  a  force  equal 
to  all  the  possibilities  of  the  campaign,  and  irretrievably  wrest  Southern 
Mississippi,  with  the  towns  of  Jackson,  Canton,  and  Meridian,  from  the 
possession  of  the  enemy.  Such  action  would  restore  a  large  territory  to 
the  government,  and  weaken  the  enemy  correspondingly  by  subtracting 
so  much  from  his  already  limited  resources. 

From  General  Grant  I  returned  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  Seven 
teenth  (McPherson's)  Corps,  and  found  the  same  prevailing  good  humor 
that  I  remarked  everywhere  else.* 

*  Mr.  Keiffi's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald. 
13* 


298  GENERAL    GRANT 

The  officers  who  received  General  Grant's  letter  stated 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  answer  it  by  night,  and  it 
was  not  till  a  little  before  the  peep  of  day  that  the  pro 
posed  reply  was  furnished.  Early  in  the  morning,  how 
ever,  a  messenger  arrived  at  the  Union  lines  with  the  fol 
lowing  letter  from  General  Pemberton  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  VICKSBURG,  July  3,  1863. 
Major-General  GRANT,  commanding  United  States  forces  : 

GENERAL: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  com 
munication  of  this  date  proposing  terms  for  the  surrender  of  this  garrison 
and  post.  In  the  main  your  terms  are  accepted ;  but  in  justice  both  to 
the  honor  and  spirit  of  my  troops,  manifested  in  the  defence  of  Vicks- 
burg,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  amendments,  which,  if 
acceded  to  by  you,  will  perfect  the  agreement  between  us.  At  ten 
o'clock  to-morrow  I  propose  to  evacuate  the  works  in  and  around  Vicks- 
burg,  and  to  surrender  the  city  and  garrison  under  my  command  by 
marching  out  with  my  colors  and  arms  and  stacking  them  in  front  of  my 
present  limits,  after  which  you  will  take  possession ;  officers  to  retain  their 
side  arms  and  personal  property,  and  the  rights  and  property  of  citizens 
to  be  respected. 

I  am,  General,  yours,  very  respectfully, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  Lieutenant- General. 

This  was  a  proposal  for  the  besieged  to  march  out  with 
the  honors  of  war,  only  allowed  to  garrisons  after  a  very 
obstinate  and  brave  defence.  It  is  entirely  optional  on  the 
part  of  the  victor  to  allow  such  a  privilege,  and  many  com 
manders  have  entirely  refused  it. 

General  Grant,  however,  with  his  accustomed  magna 
nimity  to  the  conquered,  acquiesced  in  the  request  as  fol 
lows: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  TENNESSEE, 

BEFORE  YICKSBURG,  July  4,  1863. 
Lieutenant-General  PEMBERTON,  commanding  forces  in  Vicksburg : 

GENERAL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  communication  of 
the  3d  of  July.  The  amendments  proposed  by  you  cannot  be  acceded 
to  in  full.  It  will  be  necessary  to  furnish  every  officer  and  man  with  a 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  299 

parole  signed  bj  himself,  which,  with  the  completion  of  the  rolls  of 
prisoners,  will  necessarily  take  some  time.  Again,  I  can  make  no  stipu 
lation  with  regard  to  the  treatment  of  citizens  and  their  private  property. 
Wliile  I  do  not  propose  to  cause  any  of  them  any  undue  annoyance  or  loss, 
I  cannot  consent  to  leave  myself  under  rtstrai.it  by  stipulations.  The  prop 
erty  which  oSScers  can  be  allowed  to  take  with  them  will  be  as  stated 
in  the  proposition  of  last  evening — that  is,  that  officers  will  be  allowed 
their  private  baggage  and  side  arms,  and  mounted  officers  one  Iwrse  each.  If 
you  mean  by  your  proposition  for  each  brigade  to  march  to  the  front  of  the  lines 
now  occupied  by  it,  and  stack  their  arms  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  then  return 
to  the  inside  and  remain  as  prisoners  until  properly  paroled,  Iwillmake  no  ob 
jection  to  it.  Should  no  modifications  be  made  of  your  acceptance  of  my 
terms  by  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  I  shall  regard  them  as  having  been  rejected, 
and  act  accordingly.  Should  these  terms  be  accepted,  white  flags  will  be 
displayed  along  your  lines  to  prevent  such  of  my  troops  as  may  not  have 
been  notified  from  firing  on  your  men. 
I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  U.  S.  A. 

After  a  very  short  consultation  with  his  general  officers, 
the  commandant  of  Vicksburg  sent  the  following  reply: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  VICKSBURG,  July  4,  1863 
Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  commanding  Utiitzd  States  forces,  etc. : 

GENERAL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  com 
munication  of  this  date,  and,  in  reply,  to  say  that  the  terms  proposed  by 
you  are  accepted. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEHBERTON,  Lieutenant- General. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  4th,  the  above 
final  dispatch  was  received  from  General  Pemberton, 
and  he  stated  that  he  was  ready  to  capitulate.  General 
Grant  at  once  telegraphed  to  General  McPherson's  head 
quarters  with  instructions  that  the  Seventeenth  Corps  be 
ordered  under  arms  immediately,  to  be  ift  readiness  to 
move  instantly  into  the  city  upon  the  receipt  of  orders  to 
that  effect, 

Shortly  after  the  hour  above  mentioned,  the  rebel  works 


300  GENERAL   GRANT 

were  surmounted  by  a  large  number  of  white  flags  along 
the  entire  lines,  extending  from  right  to  left.  This  was 
the  signal  of  surrender.  Soon  the  enemy  marched  out  by 
regiment,  on  McPherson's  front,  and  stacked  their  arms 
and  returned  within,  where  they  were  paroled  in  a  body, 
prior  to  the  individual  parole  of  each  man. 

The  privilege  allowed  by  General. Grant  to  the  enemy  of 
stacking  their  arms  outside  of  their  fortifications  somewhat 
crowded  matters,  as  the  Union  works  were  so  close  that 
the  enemy  was  pressed  for  room  in  order  to  avoid  tres 
passing  beyond  the  small  strip  of  unoccupied  territory 
lying  between  the  works  of  the  two  armies.  However, 
after  considerable  difficulty,  the  arms,  excepting  those  of 
several  regiments,  were  deposited  according  to  the  provis- 
iojis  of  the  surrender,  without  encroachment  upon  our  ap 
proaches. 

Irf  attendance  upon  the  capitulation  of  the  rebels  there 
were  a  number  of  line  officers  and  privates  of  the  Union 
army  as  lookers  on.  No  one  had  been  delegated  by  General 
Grant  to  superintend  the  matter,  out  of  courtesy  to  the 
enemy,  whose  noble  defence  had  won  them  the  highest 
esteem  of  both  officers  and  men.  The  surrender,  there 
fore,  appeared,  as  it  were,  a  volition,  and  not  of  compul 
sion;  and  was  hardly  known  until  some  time  after,  owing 
to  the  quietness  with  which  it  was  conducted.  General 
Grant  had  wisely  taken  this  matter  into  consideration,  and 
prevented  the  lips  of  the  incautious  and  unca'.culating  from 
uttering  remarks  of  no  good  to  the  Union  cause,  and  not  in 
the  least  calculated  to  keep  alive  that  harmony  of  feeling 
which  turned  out  to  be  one  of  the  most  noticeable  features 
of  the  occasion.  As  it  was,  as  the  General  had  desired,  the 
enemy  was  allowed  to  conduct  the  matter  according  to 
his  own  liking,  so  it  was  done  within  the  limitations  of 
the  previously  stipulated  terms  of  capitulation. 


AND    HIS     CAMPAIGNS.  801 

Several  regiments  not  having  room  to  stack  arms  with 
the  rest  of  the  command,  deposited  them  at  the  Court 
House. 

Three  hours  elapsed  before  the  last  of  the  rebel  regi 
ments  had  surrendered  their  arms.  During  this  time 
General  John  A.  Logan  was  engaged  in  getting  his  troops 
in  readiness  for  subsequent  movements. 


302  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

OCCUPATION  OF  VICKSBURG. THE  LOSSES. 

THE  Fourth  of  July,  1863,  was  one  of  the  most  impor 
tant  in  the  history  of  the  United  States,  and  of  its  armies. 
On  this  day  the  glad  tidings  of  victory  in  Pennsylvania 
was  sounded  throughout  the  land,  and  on  this  day  the  vic 
torious  "Army  of  Tennessee"  took  possession  of  the  boast 
ed  stronghold  of  the  rebels — "  the  Gibraltar  of  the  Mis 
sissippi" — Vicksburg. 

The  entrance  into  the  city  of  Vicksburg  is  thus  describ 
ed  by  a  participant : 

It  was  about  one  o'clock  p.  M.,  before  matters  had  assumed  such  a 
stage  of  completion  as  would  admit  of  the  entrance  of  the  city  by  our 
troops.  A  slight  further  detention  was  also  occasioned  awaiting  the 
pioneer  corps,  thrown  out  in  advance,  to  open  a  passage  through  the 
breastworks  and  across  the  ditches  and  rifle-pits  of  the  enemy.  After 
this  was  finished,  no  further  obstructions  presented  themselves,  and  the 
column  moved  forward.  The  order  of  inarch  was  by  a  seniority  of 
brigade  commanders,  with  an  exception  in  the  case  of  the  Forty-fifth 
Illinois  Infantry,  Colonel  J.  A.  Maltby,  which  ivas  specially  ordered  to  lead 
the  column,  in  consequence  of  heroic  conduct  during  the  siege  and  operations 
in  the  campaign  against  Vicksburg. 

The  order  of  formation,  in  the  march  into  the  city,  was 
as  follows : 

Major-General  U.  S.  G-rant  and  staff. 

Major-General  J.  B.  McPherson  and  staff. 

Major-General  J.  A.  Logan  and  staff. 

Brigadier-General  M.  D.  Leggett,  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  led  by 
the  Forty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry. 

Brigadier- General  Z.  E.  G.  Ransom,  First  Brigade,  Seventh  Division, 
temporarily  assigned  to  Logan. 


AND    HIS' CAMPAIGNS.  303 

Brigadier-General  John  Stevenson,  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division; 
and  with  each  brigade  its  batteries,  baggage  train,  &c. 

The  division  of  General  John  E.  Smith,  though  part  of  the  Seven 
teenth  Army  Corps  which  was  designated  by  General  Grant  to  occupy 
the  city,  was  held  outside  of  the  works  as  a  kind  of  outer  line  of  guards 
to  prevent  the  escape  of  prisoners. 

After  passing  through  several  inner  lines  of  the  rifle-pits  and  breast 
works,  the  column  of  occupation  penetrated  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  and 
marched  through  its  principal  streets  to  the  Court  House.  As  might  be 
expected,  from  the  long  schooling  the  city  had  received  under  the  influ 
ence  of  the  secession  conspirators,  no  demonstrations  of  satisfaction 
at  our  arrival  were  made  along  the  line  of  march  ;  but  on  the  contrary, 
houses  were  closed,  the  citizens  within  doors,  and  the  city  was  wrapped 
in  gloom.  It  seems  as  if  the  population  anticipated  their  next  step 
would  be  into  the  grave. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  Court  House,  the  troops  were  drawn  up  in  line 
facing  the  building.  This  done,  the  ceremony  of  possession  was  com 
pleted  by  the  display  of  the  flags  of  the  Forty -fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
of  the  head-quarters  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  from  the  dome  of  the 
Court  House. 

Upon  the  appearance  of  the  flags  the  troops  cheered  vociferously, 
making  the  city  ring  to  its  very  suburbs  with  shouts  of  the  votaries  of 
liberty.  It  was  an  occasion  which  few  ever  have  the  opportunity  of 
witnessing,  and  one  which  will  secure  a  life-long  remembrance  in  the 
miuds  of  all  present. 

In  consideration  of  the  active  part  taken  by  the  Seventeenth  Corps  in 
the  campaign  which  consummated  in  the  capture  of  Yicksburg,  that  com 
mand  was  designated  by  General  Graut  to  take  possession  of  the  city. 
General  Logan's  Division  occupied  within  the  works,  while  General  John 
E.  Smith  held  the  Union  works  without.  General  McArthur  continued 
with  General  Sherman's  army  in  its  operations  against  Johnston. 

In  view  of  General  Grant's  plans,  Major-General  McPherson  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  of  the  new  district  about  to  be  formed,  and 
having  Vicksburg  for  its  centre. 

Major-General  Logan  commanded  the  city  and  its  environs. 

The  Provost-Marshal's  department  was  placed  in  charge  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  James  Wilson,  Provost-Marshal  of  the  corps — Provost-Guard, 
Forty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry. 

A  number  of  subordinate  officers  had  to  be  created  to  carry  out  the 
laborious  and  endless  details  which  naturally  occur  in  the  administra- 


304  GENERAL   GRANT 

tion  of  a  city  in  population  as  large  as  the  present.  However,  as  initia 
tory  measures,  the  above  answered  every  purpose,  and  the  workings  of 
the  plans  were  harmonious  and  effective.  There  were  no  disgraceful 
scenes  of  rapine,  violence  or  insult  to  note,  nor  had  any  thing  occurred 
to  compromise  as  a  mass  the  soldiers  of  the  government.  There  were  a 
few  instances  of  battering  down  store  doors,  to  examine  the  contents 
of  the  establishments,  but  this  ivas  soon  stopped  upon  the  inauguration  of 
the  provost-guard.  One  rather  unaccountable  fact  was  the  trouble  the 
guard  experienced  in  keeping  down  the  rebel  soldiery.  The  people 
feared  the  thieving  proclivities  of  their  own  men  even  more  than  ours. 
It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  efficient  guard  patroling  the  city 
had  picked  up  all  vagrant  individuals,  compelled  them  to  disgorge,  and 
then  quietly  consigned  them  to  the  peaceable  retirement  of  the  guard 
house,  to  await  their  trial  before  his  worship,  the  Provost-Marshal.  The 
aforesaid  establishment  is  already  quite  populous  with  miscreant  secesh, 
and  a  slight  sprinkling  of  our  own  unfortunates.  "While  they  are 
amongst  us  they  must  expect  to  be  obh'ged  to  conduct  themselves  like 
soldiers,  and  obey  the  newly  inaugurated  authority  now  ruling  and  in 
suring  order  and  security  to  the  inhabitants  and  property  within  the 
city.  The  quiet  which  now  prevails  everywhere  is  astonishing,  and  re 
flects  great  credit  upon  the  abilities  and  judg7nent  of  those  at  the  head  of 
affairs. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  city  was  officially  known  to  the  transport 
ation  officers  in  charge  of  steamboats  at  Chickasaw  Bayou,  there  was  a 
general,  mixed  and  laughable  stampede  of  boats  out  of  theYazoo  and  down 
the  Mississippi  for  the  levee  of  Vicksburg.  The  John  H.  Groesbeek, 
being  the  office  boat  of  the  Chief  of  Transportation,  appropriated  the 
advance  of  the  Yazoo  Eiver  batch. 

The  transports,  however,  were  not  the  first  to  arrive  before  the  city, 
for  the  Neptune  of  the  Mississippi  was  on  the  alert,  and  impatiently 
awaited  the  course  of  events  under  full  steam.  No  sooner  was  the 
flag  thrown  to  the  breeze  from  the  Court  House  than  the  Admiral's 
glass  caught  sight  of  its  beautiful  folds,  and  in  due  time  his  vessel 
steamed  down  to  the  city,  followed  by  all  the  gunboats  in  the  neigh 
borhood,  and  took  possession  of  a  few  feet  of  river  front.  All  this  was 
duly  done,  after  the  authority  of  the  army  of  the  United  States  was 
secured  bejrond  doubt. 

In  less  than  four  hours  after  the  city  had  capitulated,  the  levees  were 
lined  with  steamers  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  At  least  seventy-five 
had  arrived  up  to  that  time,  and  more  were  coming  in  hourly.  All  the- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  305 

boats  from  below,  as  well  as  those  from  above,  were  there  to  swell  the 
number.  The  city  had  the  appearance  of  a  great  inland  commercial 
metropolis.  The  levees  were  almost  instantaneously  covered  with  a 
busy,  moving  crowd  of  humanity,  pushing  hither  and  thither,  as  if  they 
were  old  residents,  and  the*  city  had  not  experienced  the  interregnum 
of  intercourse  with  the  outer  world,  which  had  been  her  fate  for  nearly 
two  years.  Many  of  the  boats  had  already  commenced  to  discharge  their 
cargoes,  which,  of  course,  occasioned  a  lively  activity  on  shore,  while 
teams  and  men  were  busily  engaged  in  liauling  the  different  stores  to 
their  respective  destinations. 

It  may  be  said  that  Yicksburg  is  once  more  a  living  city.  Reclaimed 
from  her  late  oppressors,  she  is  free  to  share  with  her  sister  cities  the 
numerous  opportunities  which  have  been  restored  to  them  by  the  rein 
stated  authority  of  our  great,  and  glorious,  and  ever  to  be  perpetuated 
republic.* 

The  value  of  the  reduction  of  Vieksburg  was  not  only 
great  in  a  moral,  political;  and  strategical  point  of  view; 
but  it  possessed  still  farther  importance  by  inflicting  a  severe 
loss  upon  the  rebels,  in  both  men  and  material. 

The  following  is  a  rough  estimate  of  the  number  of  offi 
cers,  soldiers,  and  ordnance,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  United  States  authorities  with  the  city  of  Vicksburg : 

One  Lieutenant-General,  John  C.  Pemberton,  late  com 
mandant  of  the  army  for  the  defence  of  Vicksburg. 

Nineteen  Major  and  Brigadier-Generals,  as  follows : — 
Major-General  Bowen,  Major-General  Martin  L.  Smith  and 
Major-General  Forney;  Brigadier-Generals  Barton,  Coch- 
ran,  Lee,  Vaughn,  Reynolds,  Baldwin,  Harris,  Taylor, 
Cummings,  Stevenson  of  Georgia,  Hebart,  Wall  of  Texas, 
commanding  Texan  Legion;  Moore,  Schoep,  Buford,  and 
Cockerell. 

Over  four  thousand  field,  line,  and  staff  officers. 

About  twenty-three  thousand  effective  men,  non-commis 
sioned  officers  and  privates,  and  over  six  thousand  men  in 
hospital. 

*  Mr.  Keim's  dispatch  to  the  Few  York  Herald. 


306  GENERAL    GRANT 

Ninety  siege-guns. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-eight  field-pieces. 

Thirty-five  thousand  (approximately)  muskets  and  rifles, 
principally  Enfield,  and  in  excellent  order. 

Powder  and  shell  for  ordnance  of  different  calibre  in 
abundance. 

A  large  quantity  of  miscellaneous  matter,  such  as  wag 
ons,  a  few  animals,  armorers'  tools,  machinery,  &c. 

Among  the  military  establishments  taken  possession  of 
were  the  arsenal,  well  supplied  with  unused  rifles,  and  the 
foundry,  with  all  conveniences  for  casting  shot,  shell,  and 
cannon,  and  capable  of  doing  a  great  deal  of  other  work 
of  a  similar  character,  such  as  casting. 

The  troops  taken  prisoners  were  mainly  composed  of 
Mississippians,  called  "  The  State  troops,"  Georgians,  Ala- 
bamians,  Louisianians,  Missourians,  and  regulars. 

The  following  is  a  table  compiled  from  various  sources, 
and  showing,  at  a  glance,  the  estimated  losses  of  the  rebels, 
in  men,  from  the  commencement  of  the  campaign,  on  April 
30th,  to  the  final  surrender  of  the  city : 

Prisoners. 

Lieutenant-General,, 1 

Major  and  Brigadier-Generals 19 

Field,  staff,  and  line  officers 4,600 

Non-commissioned  officers  and  privates 30,000 


Total,  without  regard  to  rank 34,620 

Killed,  Wounded,  and  Stragglers. 

Killed  in  battles  and  skirmishes 1,000 

"Wounded  in  battles  and  skirmishes 4,000 

Captured  in  hospitals  in  Yicksburg  and  elsewhere 6,000 

Stragglers,  including  men  cut  off  and  unable  to  rejoin  their  com 
mands  . .  800 


Total 11,800 


AXJ)    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  307 

Recapitulation. 

Total  prisoners 34,620 

Killed,  wounded,  and  in  hospital 11,000 

Stragglers,  &c * 800 

Making  a  loss  to  the  enemy,  in  sixty-five  days,  of 46,420 

The  following  table  also  shows  the  losses  of  material 
sustained  by  the  enemy  during  the  same  length  of  time: 

Field  Artillery.  Pieces. 

Captured  in  battle 83 

At  Vicksburg 128 

Total 211 

Siege  Artillery. 

At  Vicksburg 90 

Captured  Small-Arms. 

In  battle 10,000 

At  Vicksburg 35,000 

Total 45,000 

Recapitulation. 

Artillery  captured 301 

Muskets  and  rifles 45,000 

Besides  this,  a  number  of  field-pieces  and  siege-guns  were  destroyed 
at  Jackson,  Haines  and  Snyder's  Blufls,  which  are  not  included  in  the 
above  estimate.* 

General  Grant,  in  his  official  report,  sums  up  the  Union 
losses,  during  the  series  of  battles  of  the  Yicksburg  cam 
paign,  as  follows : 

Killed.  Wounded.  Missing.  Total. 

Port  Gibson, 130  718  5     853 

Fourteen-Mile  Creek  (skirmish)  .  4  24  —       28 

Raymond, 69  341  32     442 

Jackson, 40  240  6     286 

Champion's  Hill, 426  1,842  189  2,457 

Big  Black  Railroad  Bridge,    .     .  29  242  2     273 

Vicksburg, 245  3,688  303  4,'236 

Grand  Total, 943      7,095f  537  8,575 

*  New  York  Herald  estimates.     See  also  Appendix  G-. 

f  Nearly  one-half  of  the  wounded  returned  to  duty  within  a  month. 


308  GENERAL    GRANT 

General  Recapitulation. 

Rebel  losses  in  killed,  wounded,  stragglers,  and  pris 
oners,       46,420 

Union  losses,          do.  do.  do.  do.       8,575 

Balance  in  favor  of  Grant, 37,845 

In  addition,  therefore,  to  the  immense  quantity  of  stores 
secured  with  the  reduction  of  Vicksburg,  a  balance  of 
nearly  thirty-eight  thousand  men  had  to  be  placed  to  the 
credit  of  Grant's  services  during  this  campaign. 

The  following  extract,  from  General  Grant's  report,  will 
show  how  the  army  subsisted  during  the  first  twenty  days 
of  the  Vicksburg  campaign : 

In  the  march  from  Bruiusburg  to  Vicksburg,  covering  a  period  of 
twenty  days,  before  supplies  could  be  obtained  from  government  stores, 
only  five  days'  rations  were  issued,  and  three  days  of  those  were  taken 
in  haversacks  at  the  start,  and  were  soon  exhausted.  All  other  subsist 
ence  was  obtained  from  the  country  through  which  we  passed.  The 
march  was  commenced  without  wagons,  except  such  as  could  be  picked 
up  through  the  country.  The  country  was  abundantly  supplied  with 
corn,  bacon,  beef,  and  mutton.  The  troops  enjoyed  excellent  health,  and 
no  army  ever  appeared  in  better  spirits,  or  felt  more  confident  of  success. 

General  Halleck,  in  his  Annual  Report  of  the  War,  thus 
speaks  of  the  administration  and  success  of  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  Tennessee : 

At  the  date  of  my  last  Annual  Report,  Major-General  Grant  occupied 
"West  Tennessee  and  the  northern  boundary  of  Mississippi.  The  object 
of  the  campaign  of  this  army  was  the  opening  of  the  Mississippi  River, 
in  conjunction  with  the  army  of  General  Banks. 

General  Grant  was  instructed  to  drive  the  enemy  in  the  interior  as 
far  south  as  possible,  and  destroy  their  railroad  communications;  then 
to  fall  back  to  Memphis  and  embark  his  available  forces  "on  transports, 
and  with  the  assistance  of  the  fleet  of  Admiral  Porter,  reduce  Vicks 
burg.  The  first  part  of  this  plan  was  most  successfully  executed,  but 
the  right  wing  of  the  army  sent  against  Vicksburg,  under  Major-Gene 
ral  Sherman,  found  that  place  much  stronger  than  was  expected. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  309 

Two  attacks  were  made,  on  the  28th  and  29th  of  December;  but  fail 
ing  in  their  object,  our  troops  were  withdrawnt^and  while  waiting  for 
re-enforcemonts  from  General  Grant,  moved  up  the  Arkansas  River  to 
Arkansas  Post,  which  place  was,  with  the  assistance  of  the  gunboats, 
captured  on  the  llth  of  January.  Our  loss  at  Yicksburg  was  191  kill 
ed,  982  wounded,  and  756  missing;  at  Arkansas  Post,  129  killed,  831 
wounded,  and  17  missing.  We  captured  at  the  latter  place  5,000  pris 
oners,  17  pieces  of  cannon,  3,000  small-arms,  46,000  rounds  of  ammuni 
tion,  and  563  animals. 

General  Grant  now  assumed  the  immediate  command  of  the  army  on  the 
Mississippi,  which  was  largely  re-enforced.  Being  satisfied  by  the  result  of 
General  Sherman's  operations  that  the  north  line  of  the  enemy' 's  works  was 
too  strong  to  be  carried  without  a  very  heavy  loss,  ho  directed  his  attention  to 
opening  the  canal,  which  had  been  commenced  the  year  before  by  General 
Williams,  across  the  peninsula  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river. 

This  canal  had  been  improperly  located — its  upper  terminus  being  in 
an  eddy,  and  the  lower  terminus  being  exposed  to  the  enemy's  guns ; 
nevertheless,  it  was  thought  that  it  could  be  completed  sooner  than  a 
new  one  could  be  constructed.  While  working  parties,  under  Captain 
Prince,  chief  engineer  of  that  army,  were  diligently  employed  upon  this 
canal,  General  Grant  directed  his  attention  to  several  other  projects  for 
turning  the  enemy's  position.  These  are  fully  described  in  his  official 
report.*  The  canal  proving  impracticable,  and  his  other  plans  being 
unsuccessful,  he  determined  to  move  his  army  by  land  down  the  west 
bank  of  the  river,  some  seventy  miles,  while  transports  for  crossing 
should  run  past  the  enemy's  batteries  at  Vicksburg. 

TJie  danger  of  running  the  batteries  being  very  great^  and  the  roads  on  the 
west  side  in  horrible  condition,  this  ivas  a  difficult  and  hazardous  expedient; 
but  it  seemed  to  be  the  only  possible  solution  of  the  problem.  The  ex 
ecution  of  the  plan,  however,  was  greatly  facilitated  by  Admiral  Farra- 
gut,  who  had  run  two  of  his  vessels  past  the  enemy's  batteries  at  Port 
Hudson  and  Grand  Gulf,  and  cleared  the  river  of  the  enemy's  boats  be 
low  Vicksburg ;  and  finally,  through  the  tJie  indomitable  energy  of  the  com 
manding-general  and  the  admirable  dispositions  of  Admiral  Porter  for 
running  the  enemy's  batteries,  the  operation  was  completely  successful. 

The  army  crossed  the  river  at  Bruinsburg,  April  30th,  turned  Grand 
Gulf,  and  engaged  the  enemy  near  Port  Gibson  on  the  1st,  and  at  Four 
teen-Mile  Creek  on  the  3d  of  May.  The  enemy  was  defeated  in  both 

*  See  Appendix  G. 


310  GENERAL   GRANT 

engagements,  with  heavy  loss.  General  Grant  now  moved  his  forces 
by  rapid  marches  to  the  north,  in  order  to  separate  the  garrison  of 
Vicksburg  from  the  covering  army  of  Johnston.  This  movement  was 
followed  by  the  battles  of  "Raymond,"  May  12th;  of  "Jackson,"  May' 
14th ;  of  "  Champion's  Hill,"  May  16th,  and  of  "Big  Black  River  Bridge," 
May  17th — in  all  of  which  our  troops  were  victorious.  General  Grant 
now  proceeded  to  invest  Vicksburg. 

In  order  to  facilitate  General  Grant's  operations  by  destroying  the 
enemy's  lines  of  communication,  and  prevent  the  early  concentration  of 
any  re-enforcements,  Colonel  (now  Brigadier-General)  Grierson  was 
sent  with  a  cavalry  force  from  La  Grange  on  the  17th  of  April  to  trav 
erse  the  interior  of  the  State  of  Mississippi.  This  expedition  was  most 
successfully  conducted.  It  destroyed  many  of  the  enemy's  railroad 
bridges,  depots,  and  much  rolling  stock,  and  reached  Baton  Rouge,  Lou- 
siana,  in  safety  on  the  2d  of  May.  On  returning  to  Yicksburg,  General 
Grant  found  his  forces  insufficient  to  entirely  invest  the  enemy's  works. 
There  was,  therefore,  danger  that  the  two  bodies  of  the  enemy  under 
Pemberton  and  Johnston  might  yet  effect  a  junction,  as  it  was  known 
that  the  latter  was  being  largely  re-enforced  from  Bragg's  army  in 
Middle  and  East  Tennessee.  Under  these  circumstances  General  Grant 
determined  to  attempt  to  carry  the  place  by  assault. 

Two  unsuccessful  attacks  were  made  May  19th  and  22d;  but  as  re-en 
forcements  reached  him  a  few  days  after,  sufficiently  large  to  enable 
him  to  completely  invest  the  rebel  defences,  he  resorted  to  the  slower 
but  more  certain  operations  of  a  regular  siege.  By  the  3d  of  July  his 
saps  were  so  far  advanced  as  to  render  his  success  certain,  and  on  that 
day  General  Pemberton  proposed  an  armistice  and  capitulation,  which 
were  finally  accepted,  and  Vicksburg  surrendered  on  the  4th  of  July.  In 
the  language  of  General  Grant's  official  report,  the  results  of  this  short 
campaign  were : 

"  The  defeat  of  the  enemy  in  five  battles  outside  of  Vicksburg,  the 
occupation  of  Jackson,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  and  the 
capture  of  Vicksburg  and  its  garrison  and  munitions  of  war;  a  loss  to 
the  enemy  of  37,000  prisoners,  among  whom  were  fifteen  general  offi 
cers;  at  least  10,000  killed  and  wounded;  and  among  the  killed.  Gener 
als  Tracy,  Tilghman,  and  Green,  and  hundreds,  and  perhaps  thousands 
of  stragglers,  who  can  never  be  collected  and  organized.  Arms  and 
munitions  of  war  for  an  army  of  sixty  thousand  have  fallen  into  our 
hands,  besides  a  large  amount  of  other  public  property,  consisting  of 
railroad,  locomotives,  cars,  steamboats,  cotton,  etc. ;  and  much  was  de 
stroyed  to  prevent  our  capturing  it." 

When  we  consider  the  character  of  the  country  in  which  this  armyoper- 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  311 

ated,  the  formidable  obstacles  to  be  overcome,  the  number  of  forces  and  the 
strength  of  the  enemy's  works,  ive  cannot  fail  to  admire  the  courage  and  en 
durance  of  the  troops,  and  the  skill  and  daring  of  their  commander.  No 
mire  brilliant  exploit  can  be  found  in  military  history.  It  has  been  alleged, 
and  the  allegation  has  been  widely  circulated  by  the  press,  that  General 
Grant,  in  the  conduct  of  his  campaign,  positively  disobeyed  the  in 
structions  of  his  superiors.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark  that  General 
Grant  never  disobeyed  an  order  or  instruction,  but  always  carried  out  to  the 
best  of  his  ability  every  wish  or  suggestion  made  to  him  by  the  government. 
Moreover  he  has  never  complained  that  the  government  did  not  furnish 
him  all  the  means  and  assistance  in  its  power,  to  facilitate  the  execution 
of  any  plan  he  saw  fit  to  adopt. 

"While  the  main  army  of  Tennessee  was  operating  against  Vicksburg, 
the  enemy's  force,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  made  unsuccessful  at 
tacks  on  Milliken's  Bend  and  Lake  Providence  on  the  6th  and  10th  of 
June.  Our  loss  in  the  former  was  101  killed,  and  285  wounded,  and 
266  missing.  The  loss  in  the  latter  was  not  reported.  It  is  represent 
ed  that  the  colored  troops  in  these  desperate  engagements  fought  with 
great  bravery ;  and  that  the  rebels  treated  this  class  of  prisoners  of 
war,  as  well  as  their  officers,  with  great  barbarity.  It  has  not  been 
possible,  however,  to  ascertain  the  correctness  of  these  representations 
in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  these  prisoners. 

After  the  capture  of  Vicksburg,  General  Grant  reported,  that  his 
troops  were  so  much  fatigued  and  worn  out  with  forced  marches  and 
the  labors  of  the  siege  as  to  absolutely  require  several  weeks  of  repose 
before  undertaking  another  campaign.  Nevertheless,  as  the  exigencies  of 
the  service  seemed  to  require  it,  he  sent  out  those  who  were  least  fatigued  on 
several  important  expeditions,  while  the  others  remained  at  Vicksburg  to  put 
that  place  in  a  letter  defensive  condition  for  a  small  garrison. 

When  the  news  of  this  glorious  victory  officially  reached 
the  President,  he  wrote  an  autograph  letter  to  General 
Grant,  of  which  document  the  following  is  a  copy : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  July  13,  1863. 
To  Major-General  GRANT  : 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL  : — I  do  not  remember  that  you  and  I  ever  met  per 
sonally.  I  write  this  now  as  a  greatful  acknowledgment  for  the  almost 
inestimable  service  you  have  done  the  country.  I  wish  to  say  a  word  fur 
ther.  When  you  first  reached  the  vicinity  of  Vicksburg,  I  thought  you 


312  '  GENERAL    GRANT 

should  do  what  you  finally  did — march  the  troops  across  the  neck,  run 
the  batteries  with  the  transports,  and  thus  go  below  ;  and  I  never  had 
any  faith,  except  a  general  hope  that  you  knew  better  than  I,  that  the 
Yazoo  Pass  expedition  and  the  like  could  succeed.  When  you  got 
below  and  took  Port  Gibson,  Grand  Gulf,  and  vicinity,  I  thought  you 
should  go  down  the  river  and  join  General  Banks ;  and  when  you 
turned  northward  east  of  the  Big  Black,  I  feared  it  was  a  mistake.  I 
now  wish  to  make  a  personal  acknowledgment  that  you  were  right  and  1 
was  ivrong*  Yours,  very  truly, 

A.  LINCOLN. 

Several  gentlemen  were  near  the  President  at  the  time 
he  received  the  news  of  Grant's  success,  some  of  whom 
had  been  complaining  of  the  rumors  of  his  habit  of  using 
intoxicating  drinks  to  excess. 

"  So  I  understand  Grant  drinks  whiskey  to  excess?"  in 
terrogatively  remarked  the  President. 

"  Yes,"  was  the  reply. 

"What  whiskey  does  he  drink?"  inquired  Mr.  Lincoln. 

"  What  whiskey  ?"  doubtfully  queried  his  hearers. 

"  Yes.     Is  it  Bourbon  or  Monongahela  ?" 

"  Why  do  you  ask,  Mr.  President  ?" 

"  Because,  if  it  makes  him  win  victories  like  this  at 
Vicksburg,  I  will  send  a  demijohn  of  the  same  kind  to 
every  general  in  the  army." 

His  visitors  saw  the  point,  although  at  their  own  cost. 

It  is  stated  that  General  Grant  entered  Vicksburg  on 
July  4th,  1863,  with  a  cigar  in  his  mouth.  In  alluding  to 

*  It  is  currently  stated  that  when  Adjutant-General  Thomas  visited 
the  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  early  in  April,  1863,  he  carried  in  his 
pocket  an  order  from  the  President  to  displace  and  remove  General 
Grant  from  his  command,  if  the  facts  proved  to  be  as  they  were  reported 
at  the  national  capital.  Perhaps  President  Lincoln's  note  refers  indirectly 
to  that  order.  It  is  needless  to  add  that  General  Thomas,  on  his  arrival 
at  Milliken's  Bend,  found  matters  far  different  than  were  represented  at 
Washington,  and  he,  therefore,  thought  it  more  judicious  not  to  remove 
the  order  from  his  pocket,  nor  General  Grant  from  his  command. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  313 

this  fact,  a  newspaper  of  strong  Southern  proclivities  re 
marked  as  follows : 

We  pardon  General  Grant's  smoking  a  cigar  as  he  entered  the 
smouldering  ruins  of  the  town  of  Yicksburg.  A  little  stage  effect  is 
admissible  in  great  captains,  considering  that  Napoleon  at  Milan  wore 
the  little  cocked  hat  and  sword  of  Marengo,  and  that  snuff  was  the  in 
evitable  concomitant  of  victory  in  the  great  Frederick.  General  Grant 
is  a  noble  fellow,  and  by  the  terms  of  capitulation  he  accorded  to  the  heroic 
garrison,  showed  himself  as  generous  as  Napoleon  was  to  Wurmser  at  the 
surrender  of  Mantua.  His  deed  will  read  well  in  history,  and  he  has  secured 
to  himself  a  name  which  posterity  will  pronounce  with  veneration  and  grati 
tude.  There  is  no  general  in  this  country  or  in  Europe  that  has  done 
harder  work  than  General  Grant,  and  none  that  has  better  graced  his 
victories  by  the  exercise  of  humanity  and  virtue.  What  we  learn  of  the 
terms  of  capitulation  is  sufficient  to  prove  General  Grant  to  be  a  generous 
soldier  and  a  man.  A  truly  brave  man  respects  bravery  in  others,  and 
when  the  sword  is  sheathed  considers  himself  free  to  follow  the  dictates 
of  humanity.  General  Grant  is  not  a  general  that  marks  his  progress 
by  proclamations  to  frighten  unarmed  men,  women,  and  children;  he 
fulminates  no  arbitrary  edicts  against  the  press ;  he  does  not  make  war 
on  newspapers  and  their  correspondents :  he  natters  no  one  to  get  him 
self  puffed ;  but  he  is  terrible  in  arms  and  magnanimous  after  the  battle. 
Go  on,  brave  General  Grant;  pursue  the  course  you  have  marked  out 
for  yourself,  and  Clio,  the  pensive  muse,  as  she  records  your  deeds,  will 
rejoice  at  her  manly  theme. 

Among  the  results  of  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  is  one  that 
must  not  be  overlooked — Port  Hudson.  As  soon  as  the 
garrison  had  surrendered,  General  Grant  notified  General 
Banks  of  the  fact,  and  that  officer  at  once  imparted  the 
glorious  intelligence  to  his  command.  Like  lightning  the 
welcome  news  fleAV  along  the  line,  and  the  Union  pickets 
joyously  informed  the  rebel  sentinels  that  their  boasted 
stronghold  had  fallen.  It  did  not  take  long  for  the  tidings 
to  reach  the  rebel  head-quarters,  and  the  same  day  the 
commandant  at  Port  Hudson  sent  the  following  dispatch 
to  General  Banks : 
14 


314  GENERAL   GRANT 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  July  7,  1863. 
GENERAL: — Having  received  information  from  your  troops  that  Vicks- 
burg  has  been  surrendered,  I  make  this  communication  to  ask  you  to  give 
me  the  official  assurance  whether  this  is  true  or  not,  and  if  true  /  ask  for  a 
cessation  qf  hostilities,  with  a  view  to  the  consideration  of  terms  for  sur 
rendering  this  position. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 

Major- General  commanding  Confederate  States  forces. 
To  Major-General  BANKS,  commanding  U.  S.  forces  near  Port  Hudson. 

General  Banks,  early  the  next  morning,  replied  as  fol 
lows: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  GULP,  ) 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863.         ) 

GENERAL: — In  reply  to  your  communication,  dated  the  7th  instant,  by 
flag  of  truce  received  a  few  moments  since,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform 
you  that  I  received  yesterday  morning,  July  7th,  at  forty-five  minutes 
past  ten  o'clock,  by  the  gunboat  General  Price,  an  official  dispatch  from 
Major-General  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  United  States  Army,  whereof  the  fol 
lowing  is  a  true  extract : — 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 

NEAR  VICKSBURG,  July  4,  1863. 
Major-General  N.  P.  BANKS,  commanding  Deportment  of  ike,  Gulf: 

GENERAL  : — The  garrison  of  Vicksburg  surrendered  this  morning.  The 
number  of  prisoners,  as  given  by  the  officers,  is  twenty-seven  thousand ; 
field  artillery,  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  pieces ;  and  a  large  num 
ber  of  siege-guns,  probably  not  less  than  eighty. 

Your  obedient  servant,  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 

I  regret  to  say  that,  under  present  circumstances,  I  cannot,  consist 
ently  with  my  duty,  consent  to  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  the  purpose 
you  indicate. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS,  Major- General  Commanding. 

To  Major-General  FRANK  GARDNER,  Commanding  Confederate  States 
forces,  Port  Hudson. 

It  appears  that  the  unwelcome  news  was  all  that  was 
wanting  to  decide  the  fate  of  Port  Hudson.  In  fact,  after 
Yicksburg  had  capitulated,  Port  Hudson  was  untenable. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  315 

The  rebel  commandant,  therefore,  immediately  dispatched 
the  following  communication  to  General  Banks : 

PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

GENERAL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  com 
munication  of  this  date,  giving  a  copy  of  an  official  communication  from 
Major-General  U.  S.  Grant,  United  States  A.rmy,  announcing  the  surren 
der  of  the  garrison  of  Vicksburg. 

Having  defended  this  position  as  long  as  I  deem  my  duty  requires,  lam 
witting  to  surrender  to  you,  and  will  appoint  a  commission  of  three 
officers  to  meet  a  similiar  commission  appointed  by  yourself,  at  nine 
o'clock  this  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing  upon,  and  drawing  up- 
the  terms  of  surrender,  and  for  that  purpose  I  ask  a  cessation  of  hostili 
ties.  Will  you  please  designate  a  point  outside  of  my  breastworks 
where  the  meeting  shall  be  held  for  this  purpose? 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER,  commanding  Confederate  States  forces, 

To  Major-General  BANKS,  commanding  United  States  forces. 

General  Banks  replied  at  once  in  the  following  lan 
guage  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  UNITED  STATES  FORCES,  ) 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863.      j" 

GENERAL: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  com 
munication  of  this  date,  stating  that  you  are  willing  to  surrender  the 
garrison  under  your  command  to  the  forces  under  my  command,  and 
that  you  will  appoint  a  commission  of  three  officers  to  meet  a  similar 
commission  appointed  by  me,  at  nine  o'clock  this  morning,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  agreeing  upon  and  drawing  up  the  terms  of  surrender. 

In  reply  I  have  the  honor  to  state,  that  I  have  designated  Brigadier- 
General  Charles  P.  Stone,  Colonel  Henry  W.  Birge,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Richard  B.  Irwin,  as  the  officers  to  meet  the  commission  ap 
pointed  by  you. 

They  will  meet  your  officers,  at  the  hour  designated,  at  a  point  where 
the  flag  of  truce  was  received  this  morning.  I  will  direct  that  active 
hostilities  shall  entirely  cease  on  my  part,  until  further  notice,  for  the 
purpose  stated. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N".  P.  BANKS,  Major- General  Commanding. 

To  Major-General  FRANK  GARDNER,  commanding  Cor/federate  States 
forces,  Port  Hudson. 


316  GENERAL   GRANT  ^ 

The  following  announces  the  result  of  the  surrender: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  TEE  GULF, 
NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  PORT  HUDSON,  July  10,  1863. 
To  General  H.  W.  HALLECK  : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that,  with  this  post,  there  fell 
into  our  hands  over  five  thousand  five  hundred  prisoners,  including  one 
Major-General  and  one  Brigadier-General ;  twenty  pieces  of  heavy  artil 
lery,  five  complete  batteries,  numbering  thirty-one  pieces  of  field  artil 
lery  ;  a  good  supply  of  projectiles  for  light  and  heavy  guns,  44,800 
pounds  of  cannon-powder,  five  thousand  stand  of  arms,  and  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty  thousand  rounds  of  small-arm  ammunition,  besides  a  small 
amount  of  stores  of  various  kinds.  "We  captured,  also,  two  steamers, 
one  of  which  is  very  valuable.  They  will  be  of  great  service  at  this 
time. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS,  Major- General  Commanding* 

*  General  Banks,  by  his  operations  around  Port  Hudson  during  May 
and  June,  1863,  rendered  valuable  assistance  to  General  Grant  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

THE    PURSUIT    OF    JOHNSTON. SECOND    CAPTURE     OF     THE 

CITY    OF   JACKSON. 

GENERAL  GRANT  having  learned,  as  before  stated,  that 
General  Joseph  E.  Johnston  intended  to  attack  him  in  the 
rear,  if  he  could  find  an  opportunity,  or,  at  least,  so  harass 
him  as  to  cause  him,  if  possible,  to  raise  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  sent  a  force,  under  General  W.  T.  Sherman,  to  resist 
his  advance.  General  Johnston  did  not  attack ;  therefore 
General  Grant  determined  to  attack  him  the  moment 
Vicksburg  fell,  and  of  this  fact  General  Sherman  was 
notified. 

It  had  been  planned  that  the  grand  assault  on  Vicks 
burg  should  have  taken  place  on  July  6th,  and  General 
Grant  therefore  ordered  General  Sherman  in  the  mean 
time  to  have  up  supplies  of  all  descriptions,  so  that  he 
might  be  able  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice,  should  the 
assault  prove  a  success,  of  which  fact  the  General  appeared 
to  have  no  doubt.  General  Sherman  at  once  made  his 
preparations,  and  (adds  Grant  in  his  report)  "  when  the 
place  surrendered  on  the  4th,  two  days  earlier  than  I  had 
fixed  for  the  attack,  General  Sherman  was  found  ready, 
and  moved  at  once  with  a  force  increased  by  the  addition 
of  the  remainder  of  both  the  Thirteenth  and  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps,  and  is  at  present  (July  6th)  investing  Jack 
son,  where  Johnston  has  made  a  stand." 


318  GENERAL    GRANT 

The  rebel  general,  on  finding  the  Union  troops  had  been 
sent  in  pursuit  of  his  forces,  fell  back  within  the  defences 
of  the  Mississippi  State  capital,  where  he  issued  the  fol 
lowing  proclamation  to  his  troops : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ON  THE  FIELD,  July  9,  1863. 

FELLOW-SOLDIERS: — An  insolent  foe,  flushed  with  hope  by  his  recent 
success  at  Vicksburg,  confronts  you,  threatening  the  people,  whose  homes 
and  liberty  you  are  here  to  protect,  with  plunder  and  conquest.  Their 
guns  may  even  now  be  heard  as  they  advance. 

The  enemy  it  is  at  once  the  duty  and  the  mission  of  you,  brave  men,  to 
chastise  and  expel  from  the  toil  of  Mississippi.  TJie  commanding  general 
confidently  relies  on  you  to  sustain  his  pledge,  which  he  makes  in  advance, 
and  he  will  be  with  you  in  the  good  work,  even  unto  the  end. 

The  vice  of  "straggling"  he  begs  you  to  shun,  and  to  frown  on.  If 
needs  be,  it  will  be  checked  by  even  the  most  summary  remedies. 

The  telegraph  has  already  announced  a  glorious  victory  over  the  foe, 
won  by  your  noble  comrades  of  the  Virginia  army  on  Federal  soil ;  may 
he  not,  with  redoubled  hopes,  count  on  you,  while  defending  your  fire- 
Bides  and  household  gods,  to  emulate  the  proud  example  of  your 
brothers  in  the  East-? 

The  country  expects  in  this,  the  great  crisis  of  its  destiny,  that  every 

man  will  do  his  duty. 

JOSEPH  E.  JOHNSTOX,  General  Commanding. 

The  army  under  General  Sherman  had  advanced  steadi 
ly,  and  was  now  gradually  encircling  the  city.  On  the  12th 
of  July  he  had  invested,  the  city  from  Pearl  River,  on  the 
north  of  Jackson,  to  the  same  stream  south  of  the  place. 
The  Pearl  River  runs  directly  through  the  city.  By  this 
means,  General  Sherman  succeeded  in  cutting  off  many 
hundred  cars  from  the  Confederacy.  While  investing  the 
city,  General  Sherman  on  the  llth  of  July  sent  a  company 
of  cavalry  on  a  foraging  expedition,  and  during  the  trip 
the  command  ascertained  that  the  extensive  library,  for- 
erly  belonging  to  the  rebel  President,  was  secreted  in  a 
house  near  by.  The  cavalry  at  once  proceeded  to  the 
house,  and  there  found  thousands  of  volumes  of  books, 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  319 

and  several  bushels  of  private  and  political  papers,  belong 
ing  to  Davis,  written  by  persons  North  and  South,  who 
had  been  engaged  in  the  plot  of  inciting  the  rebellion. 
Some  of  these  papers  were  carried  into  camp,  and  served 
as  novel  literature  for  the  officers  and  men. 

In  addition  to  these,  several  valuable  gold-headed  walk 
ing-canes  were  found,  one  of  them  presented  to  Davis  by 
Franklin  Pierce.  On  another  one  was  the  inscription, 
"  From  a  Soldier  to  a  Soldier's  Friend." 

In  many  of  the  letters  the  subject  of  secession  was 
warmly  discussed.  Some  of  these  letters  date  back  as  far 
as  1852.  Many  of  the  more  prominent  writers  accepted 
the  separation  of  the  North  and  South  as  a  foregone  con 
clusion,  but  only  disagreed  how  and  when  it  should  be 
done.  Davis  is  alluded  to  as  the  political  Moses  in  this 
measure,  and  the  allusions  to  him  would  seem  as  if  he 
were  looked  upon  in  the  light  of  a  demi-god. 

On  the  morning  of  July  12th,  General  Sherman  sent  a 
battalion  of  cavalry  on  an  expedition  about  fifteen  miles 
east  of  Jackson,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  railroad 
bridges,  culverts,  rolling  stock,  or  any  thing  else  of  value  to 
the  rebel  government  or  its  military  authorities. 

Daring  the  greater  part  of  the  preceding  night  the  in 
vesting  forces  made  arrangements  for  a  cannonade  of  the 
enemy's  works.  A  premature  movement  of  a  portion  of  the 
line  nearly  caused  a  failure  of  the  expedition,  but  a  prompt 
action  on  the  part  of  the  commanding  general  remedied 
the  evil. 

On  the  13th  of  July  the  rebels  made  a  sortie  from  their 
works  and  advanced  a  brigade  of  infantry  and  several  bat 
teries  of  artillery  against  the  right  of  the  line,  with  the  in 
tention  of  breaking  it.  The  advance  was  very  sudden  and 
was  made  under  the  cover  of  a  heavy  fog  ;  but  the  sortie 
was  met  with  a  determined  resistance.  In  a  short  time 


320  GENERAL    GRANT 

after  the  enemy  had  opened  the  attack,  the  whole  of  the 
right  wing  was  in  line  of  battle,  ready  for  an  emergency. 

On  the  night  of  June  16th,  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston 
with  a  portion  of  his  army  evacuated  Jackson  and  retreat 
ed  in  great  haste  towards  the  east.  Had  he  not  made 
good  his  retreat  on  that  night,  the  whole  garrison  would 
have  been  the  next  day  in  great  danger  of  capture  by  a 
complete  investment  of  the  city. 

The  following  accounts  from  army  correspondents  give 
interesting  details  of  the  advance  to,  and  second  occupation 
of  the  city  of  Jackson  : 

While  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  was  in  progress,  General  Grant 
arranged  his  plans  for  the  capture  of  this  town,  and  intrusted  the  affair 
to  General  Sherman.  Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  July, 
the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  which  was  then  encamped  on  the  Yazoo  River, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Haines  Bluff,  took  up  the  line  of  march,  forming  the 
left  wing  of  the  advancing  column.  The  other  corps  had  marched  on 
the  right  of  the  Ninth.  After  a  few  days  of  skirmishing,  which  resulted 
in  the  falling  back  of  the  rebels  to  their  line  of  defensive  works  around 
the  town,  the  siege  regularly  commenced,  but  was  of  even  much  briefer 
duration  than  the  most  sanguine  expected.  Our  forces  surrounded  the 
city  on  the  north,  west,  and  south  sides.  As  early  as  the  morning  of  the 
16th,  suspicion  was  aroused  that  the  rebels  were  or  intended  evacuating, 
and  in  order  to  ascertain  the  truth  a  charge  of  the  whole  line  was  or 
dered  at  eleven  A.  M.  The  signal  was  two  cannon-shots.  The  troops  of 
the  whole  force  selected  to  make  a  feint  of  an  assault  were  drawn  up  in 
line,  and  as  the  guns  boomed  the  second  shot,  away  they  dashed  at  the 
rebel  works.  TJiey  were  received,  hoioever,  with  a  steady  and  heavy  fire, 
which  gave  no  doubt  of  the  presence  of  an  enemy  in  force,  and  the  test  having 
been  successful,  they  were  withdrawn,  after  suffering  but  slight  loss. 
In  the  evening  a  reconnoissance  was  made  to  within  a  short  distance  of 
the  rebel  fortifications ;  and  the  tramp  of  a  column  of  troops  in  motion, 
intermingled  with  the  commands  of  the  officers,  and  a  confused  bustle 
of  noises,  was  distinctly  heard,  indicating  that  the  evacuation  had 
commenced. 

Daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  left  little  doubt  that  such  was 
in  fact  the  case.  One  brigade  was  ordered  forward  as  skirmishers,  with 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  321 

another  in  support.  Approaching  the  rebel  works,  they  found  thorn 
teuantless,  and  the  brigade,  reforming  in  column,  dashed  into  the  town 
on  the  double  quick.  No  enemy  presented  himself,  but  on  the  outskirts 
stragglers  to  the  number  of  157  were  captured.  The  troops  soon  pushed  to 
the  centre  of  the  town,  and  raised  the  Stars  and  Stripes  on  the  State- 
House. 

The  town  at  this  time  was  almost  enveloped  in  smoke  from  the  burn 
ing  buildings.  The  troops  all  around  the  line  soon  observed  so  evident 
an  indication  of  a  retreat,  and  in  a  short  time  detachments  of  the  Thir 
teenth  and  Fifteenth  Corps  sallied  in  from  the  south  and  west  sides.  A 
check,  however,  was  suddenly  given  to  this  movement,  when  it  was  dis 
covered  that  the  rebels  in  leaving  had  planted  torpedoes  in  the  roads, 
which  exploded  when  trodden  upon.  Fortunately,  the  injury  inflicted 
by  these  cowardly  instruments  was  not  very  extensive.  The  first  killed 
was  a  citizen  who  was  flying  from  the  burning  town.  Another  exploded 
under  a  group  of  soldiers,  killing  or  wounding  about  six  of  them,  and  a 
third  blew  up  a  wagon  while  passing  over  it. 

The  evacuation  by  the  rebels,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained  from  the 
reports  of  citizens  and  prisoners,  commenced  soon  after  sundown  and 
continued  until  two  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  the  17th,  when  only  a  rear 
guard  was  left  to  apply  the-  torch  to  the  buildings  selected  for  de 
struction. 

Of  course  the  retreat  was  over  the  Pearl  River,  in  the  direction  of  Me 
ridian,  on  the,  line  of  the  Jackson  Railroad.  The  burned  district  embraces 
the  business  portion  of  the  town,  though  a  number  of  private  residences 
were  also  fired.  The  burned  buildings  lie  principally  on  State,  or  Main 
and  Capitol  streets.  In  addition  to  these  and  their  contents,  the  rebels 
destroyed  a  large  quantity  of  cotton,  the  bales  of  which  they  rolled  into 
•  the  streets  and  ignited. 

The  tracks  of  the  railroad  are  reported  torn  up  for  many  miles  beyond 
the  river.  In  the  town  they  are  comparatively  uninjured.  A  number 
of  cars,  which  are  in  pretty  good  condition,  also  escaped  destruction. 

In  addition  to  the  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  prisoners  captured  by 
General  Ferrero's  Brigade,  many  others  were  subsequently  taken,  swell 
ing  the  number  to  nearly  four  hundred. 

The  defences  of  the  town,  on  a  close  inspection,  do  not  prove  so  formi 
dable  as  they  were  conjectured  to  be.  The  roads  leading  out  into  the 
country  are  each  fortified  with  large  and  strong  works,  constructed  in 
many  cases  with  cotton-bales,  supplied  with  heavy  guns,  and  connected 
with  each  other  by  a  line  of  breastworks,  rifle-pits,  and  intrenchments 
14* 


322  GENERAL   GRANT 

The  heavy  artillery  had  not  been  removed,  and  with  a  large  quantity 
of  shot,  shell,  and  powder,  has  fallen  into  our  hands  a  prize.* 

The  annexed  account  is  given  by  a  participant  with  the 
right  wing  of  the  army  : 

The  evacuation  of  Jackson  was  commenced  by  the  rebels  at  dusk  on 
the  evening  of  the  IGth  of  July,  1863.  In  the  afternoon  of  that  day  the 
Ninth  Army  Corps  (left  wing),  Major-General  Parke,  received  orders  from 
General  Sherman  to  condense  their  lines  by  approaching  four  hundred 
yards  nearer  the  rebel  works  from  the  line  they  then  occupied.  The 
movement  was  commenced,  and  our  skirmishers,  who  were  a  short  dis 
tance  from  the  attacking  column,  were  soon  engaging  the  rebel  pickets. 
The  rebels  on  that  flank  at  once  comprehended  our  movement,  and  sent 
out  a  strong  body  of  troops  to  repel  our  advance.  In  a  few  minutes 
the  musketry  fire  increased,  and  in  twenty  minutes  there  was  a  terrific 
roar  of  musketry  and  artillery.  The  movement  of  General  Parke  receiv 
ed  some  support  from  the  Fifteenth  Corps  (centre),  Major-General  Steelc, 
which  kept  up  a  diagonal  fire  on  the  enemy.  The  engaging  parties  were 
soon  enveloped  in  smoke,  and  for  a  time  it  was  a  problem  which  side 
was  gaining  ground.  After  three-fourths  of  an  hour  the  matter  was 
clearly  decided,  our  troops  having  attained  the  objective  point,  and  the 
rebels  were  driven  back  defeated,  leaving  hundreds  of  their  dead  and 
wounded  on  the  field.  After  this  there  was  a  total  cessation  of  firing  on 
both  sides.  At  dusk  one  of  the  rebel  regimental  bands  took  a  position 
in  one  of  the  salients  of  their  works  and  regaled  our  troops  by  playing 
the  "Bonnie  Blue  Flag,"  " My  Maryland,"  "Dixie's  Land,"  and  all  the 
other  plagiarized  airs  which  they  have  adopted  as  national  tunes.  Dur 
ing  the  night  of  the  16th  inst.,  tranquillity  reigned  throughout  the  camps. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  inst.,  our  advance  pickets  of  the  Thir 
teenth  Corps  discovered  that  the  rebel  pickets  had  been  withdrawn 
during  the  night;  and,  on  looking  towards  the  rebel  works,  every  thing 
indicated  that  "fighting  Joe  Johnston"  and  his  army  had  left  for  more 
congenial  parts.  The  news  was  communicated  to  Major-General  Ord, 
commanding  the  right  wing,  and  in  turn  was  sent  to  General  Sherman, 
commanding  the  expedition.  Measures  were  subsequently  adopted  to 
take  immediate  possession  of  the  city 

General  Blair  established  his  head-quarters  at  the  Governor's  house, 

*  Mr.  Jas.  C.  Fitzpatrick's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  323 

from  which  place  he  promulgated  orders,  and  afforded  the  few  remaining 
inhabitants  of  the  city  all  the  protection  within  his  power.  In  this  he 
was  successful  after  his  orders  got  into  operation,  and  by  one  o'clock  in 
the  day  order  reigned  supreme. 

It  would  beggar  description  to  attempt  to  portray  the  appearance  of 
Jackson  after  the  rebels  retreated.  Destruction  was  visible  on  all  hands. 
Our  own  army,  on  its  first  visit  to  Jackson,  destroyed  much  valuable 
property ;  and,  to  complete  the  catalogue,  the  rebels  burned  up  fifty  or 
sixty  buildings  on  the  street  fronting  the  capitol,  on  the  ground  of  mili 
tary  necessity,  to  accomplish  the  destruction  of  large  quantities  of  army 
stores  which  they  were  not  able  to  transport  in  their  retreat.  The  day 
was  sultry,  scarcely  a  current  of  fresh  air  being  felt,  and  the  smoke  from 
the  ruins  of  the  fires  coursed  along  through  the  principal  streets,  making 
a  trip  through  the  city  decidedly  uncomfortable. 

For  nearly  two  months  the  rebels  had  worked  night  and  day  to  fortify 
Jackson.  Fortifications  and  rifle-pits  arose  as  if  by  magic,  and  these 
works  extended  over  a  front  of  two  miles.  Every  advantage  was  taken 
of  the  topography  of  the  ground,  and  every  convergent  road  to  the  city 
was  covered  by  artillery.  In  front  of  these  works  and  for  one-fourth 
of  a  mile  from  their  front  a  strong  and  impassable  abatis  was  formed 
by  felling  trees,  placed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  the  approach  to 
the  works  by  an  opposing  army  a  matter  of  impossibility.  An  attempt 
to  charge  these  works  by  our  troops  would  have  been  certain  defeat,  if 
not  annihilation,  to  our  gallant  army.  Again,  these  obstructions  afford 
ed  a  cover  to  the  real  nature  of  the  rebel  works,  and  so  complete  was 
this  concealment  as  to  make  them  appear  as  ordinary  field  works.  The 
principal  line  of  fortifications  was  made  of  bales  of  cotton  covered  with 
earth ;  and  to  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  extent  of  them  and  their 
invulnerability,  the  fact  need  only  be  stated  that  two  thousand  bales  of 
cotton  were  used  in  their  construction. 

Joh'ston's  army,  according  to  the  testimony  of  rebel  prisoners,  was 
numerically  as  strong  as  ours.  It  was  composed  of  a  portion  of  Pem- 
berton's  old  army,  and  re-enforcements  from  Bragg's  army,  and  detach 
ments  from  Mobile,  and  Charleston,  S.  0.  In  it  were  the  divisions  of 
Generals  Breckinridge,  Loring,  Walker,  and  Gist,  besides  thousands  of 
nome-guards  from  the  interior  of  Mississippi  and  Alabama.  General 
Gist  brought  ten  regiments  with  him  from  South  Carolina,  many  of 
them  of  the  "  best  blood,"  as  a  prisoner  stated,  of  the  Palmetto  State, 
whose  motto  was,  "  No  surrender,"  What  a  sorry  failure  they  made 
of  it  I 


324  GENERAL    GRANT 

After  our  army  had  taken  possession  of  Jackson,  strong  detachments 
of  troops,  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery,  were  sent  out  on  all  the  rail 
roads  diverging  from  the  city,  with  orders  to  tear  up  the  track,  destroy 
the  bridges,  culverts,  depots,  and  water-tanks  within  a  radius  of  fifteen 
miles.  As  I  close  this  letter,  the  artillery  of  some  of  our  advanced 
troops  is  heard  in  the  distance.  The  rebels  had  nearly  completed  the 
railroad  bridge,  destroyed  by  our  troops  in  May  last,  across  the  Pearl 
Kiver,  near  Jackson.  This  also  is  to  be  destroyed. 

Nearly  every  eligible  or  flat  piece  of  land  in  and  around  Jackson  has 
been  taken  as  rebel  burial-grounds.  From  the  thousands  of  graves  your 
correspondent  saw  in  his  inspection  of  the  city,  the  inference  is,  that 
the  mortality  in  the  rebel  army  from  May  until  our  troops  repos 
sessed  the  city  must  have  been  very  large.  Some  of  the  graves  are 
graced  with  marble  slabs ;  but  the  majority  had  plain  head-boards,  giv 
ing  the  age  and  date  of  the  death  of  the  deceased. 

Rebel  prisoners  by  hundreds,  from  Johnston's  fugitive  army,  are 
coming  in  and  giving  themselves  up  as  prisoners  of  war.  They  state 
their  belief  that  the  Confederacy  is  a  failure,  and  the  rebel  leaders  a 
clique  of  ambitious,  intriguing  knaves.  They  declare  that  the  war  was 
inaugurated  by  a  few  selfish  politicians,  and  the  people  were  dragged 
into  it.  They  state  that  the  Union  sentiment  is  in  the  minds  of  many 
of  the  people  of  the  South ;  but  they  dare  not  express  it,  and  are  biding 
their  time,  hoping  and  praying  they  may  soon  be  liberated  from  the 
heavy  yoke  of  Jefferson  Davis  and  his  followers. 

Our  trophies  by  the  evacuation  are  not  numerous.  The  most  impor 
tant  item  is  that  of  the  cotton  used  in  the  rebel  fortifications,  and  some 
miscellaneous  lots  in  and  near  the  city ;  of  this,  I  learn  there  are  about 
three  thousand  bales,  most  of  it  in  good  order  and  ready  for  shipment 
northward.  The  rebels  took  all  their  cannon,  of  which  they  had  fifty 
pieces,  with  the  exception  of  one  ten-inch  ship's  columbiad,  which  was 
too  weighty  an  incumbrance  to  a  flying  army.  In  addition  to  the 
cotton,  we  obtained  large  quantities  of  artillery  and  musket  ammunition. 
The  latter  was  of  first  quality,  of  English  and  Austrian  manufacture. 
Among  the  different  qualities  of  the  small  ammunition  was  the  expan-, 
sive,  explosive  Minie,  and  the  ordinary  buck  and  ball  cartridges.  The 
artillery  ammunition  was  nearly  all  manufactured  at  the  Augusta  (Ga.) 
arsenal.  We  captured  some  twenty  or  thirty  railroad  cars  and  other 
railroad  equipments  of  no  present  use  to  the  army,  as  the  railroad,  rail 
road  bridges,  culverts,  water-tanks,  and  depots,  have  all  been  destroyed 
over  an  area  of  fifteen  miles  from  Jackson.  The  damage  thus  done,  will 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  325 

amount  to  at  least  two  millions  of  dollars,  and  should  we  evacuate  the 
place  the  rebels  could  not  rebuild  the  roads  destroyed  at  any  price,  as 
the  material  is  not  in  the  Confederacy. 

From  May  1st  up  to  the  capture  of  Jackson,  General  Grant's  army  has 
been  unremittingly  at  work.  They  have  fought,  within  that  time,  seven  hotly- 
confasted  battles,  at  the  cost  of  many  a  gallant  life,  but  with  twofold  victory  to 
our  arms.  The  trophies  of  these  battles,  in  arms  and  prisoners,  are 
counted  by  thousands ;  but  the  crowning  event  of  the  campaign  is  the 
opening  of  the  Mississippi  River.  The  rebel  army  of  the  West  has  been 
Scattered  to  the  winds,  and  those  not  killed  or  captured  are  fleeing  with 
sheer  fright  from  before  our  army  of  veterans.  For  the  present,  cam 
paigning  in  Mississippi  is  ended.* 

*  Mr.  Charles  H.  Farrell's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald. 


326  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XLin. 

GENERAL    GRANT   AT   VICKSBTJRG,  BUT   NOT   IDLE. 

GENERAL  GRANT  had  remained  behind  at  Vicksburg 
when  General  Sherman  advanced,  but  he  was  not  idle. 
He  held  constant  communication  with  his  various  com 
mands,  and  organized  certain  expeditions,  the  more  effectu 
ally  to  clear  the  entire  department  of  all  vestige  of  rebel 
rule.  The  following  dispatch  explains  how  General  Grant 
was  employed : 

VICKSBTJRG,  Miss.,  July  12,  1863. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  General-in-  Chief: 

General  Sherman  has  Jackson  invested  from  Pearl  River  on  the  north 
to  the  river  on  the  south.  This  has  cut  off  many  hundred  cars  from  the 
Confederacy.  Sherman  says  he  has  forces  enough,  and  feels  no  appre 
hension  about  the  result. 

Finding  that  Yazoo  City  was  being  fortified,  I  sent  General  Ilerron  there 
with  his  Division.  He  captured  several  hundred  prisoners  and  ono 
steamboat.  Five  pieces  of  heavy  artillery  and  all  the  public  stores  fell 
into  our  hands.  The  enemy  burned  three  steamboats  on  the  approach 
of  the  gunboats. 

The  De  Kalb  was  blown  up  and  sunk  in  fifteen  feet  of  water  by  the 
explosion  of  a  torpedo. 

Finding  that  the  enemy  were  crossing  cattle  for  the  rebel  army  at 
Natchez,  and  were  said  to  have  several  thousand  there,  I  have  sent  steam 
boats  and  troops  to  collect  them  and  destroy  all  boats  and  means  for  making 
more  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General. 

Of  the  Yazoo  City  expedition,  Admiral  Porter  reports 
as  follows : 


AND    HIS    CAMI'AKJNK.  327 

UNITED  STATES  MISSISSIPPI  SQUADRON,  ) 

FLAG-SHIP  BLACK  HAWK,  OFF  VICKSBURG,  July  14,  1863.  J 
Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES  : 

Sill: — Hearing  that  General  Johnston  was  fortifying  Yazoo  City  with 
heavy  guns,  and  gathering  troops  there  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
supplies  for  his  army  from  the  Yazoo  country;  also  that  the  remainder 
of  the  enemy's  best  transports  were  then  showing  a  possibility  of  his 
atiempt  to  escape,  Major- General  Grant  and  myself  determined  to  send  a 
naval  and  military  expedition  up  there  to  capture  them. 

The  Baron  De  Kalb,  New  National,  Kenwood,  and  Signal,  were  dis 
patched,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  John  G.  Walker,  with  a  force  of 
troops  numbering  five  thousand,  under  command  of  Major-General  Frank 
.1  Ilcrnm.  Pushing  up  to  the  city,  the  Baron  Do  Kalb  engaged  the  bat- 
1  rios,  which  were  all  prepared  to  receive  her,  and  after  finding  out  their 
strength  dropped  back  to  notify  General  Herron,  who  immediately  land 
ed  his  men,  and  the  army  and  navy  made  a  combined  attack  on  the 
enemy's  works.  The  rebels  soon  fled,  leaving  every  thing  in  our  pos 
session,  and  set  fire  to  four  of  their  finest  steamers  that  ran  on  the 
Mississippi  River  in  times  past. 

The  army  pursued  the  enemy  and  captured  their  rear  guard  of  two 
hundred  and  sixty  men,  and  at  last  accounts  were  taking  more  prisoners. 
Six  heavy  guns  and  one  vessel,  formerly  a  gunboat,  fell  into  our  hands, 
and  nil  the  munitions  of  war. 

Unfortunately,  while  the  Baron  De  Kalb  was  moving  slowly  along  she 
ran  foul  of  a  torpedo,  which  exploded  and  sunk  her.  There  was  no 
si^n  of  any  thing  of  the  kind  to  be  seen.  While  she  was  going  down 
•uKiUu.T  exploded  under  her  stern. 

The  water  is  rising  fast  in  the  Yazoo,  and  we  can  do  nothing  more 
than  get  the  guns  out  of  her  and  then  get  her  into  deep  water,  where 
sin-  will  be  undisturbed  until  we  are  able  to  raise  her.  The  officers  and 
men  lost  every  thing. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  D.  PORTER, 
Acting  Rear- Admiral  Commanding  Mississippi  Squadron. 

The  Red  River  and  Natchez  expedition  may  be  con- 
sMi'i-ed  as  part  and  parcel  of  one  and  the  same  operation, 
the  success  of  which  is  reported  by  Admiral  Porter  arid 
General  Grant  as  follows : 


328  GENERAL   GRANT 

• 

FLAG-SHIP  BLACK  HAWK,      ) 
OFF  VICKSBURG,  July  18,  1863.  j" 
Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  expedition  I  sent  into 
the  Red  Elver  region  proved  very  successful.  Ascending  the  Black 
and  Tensas  Rivers,  running  parallel  with  the  Mississippi,  Lieutenant- 
Commander  Sel fridge  made  the  head  of  navigation — Tensas  Lake  and 
Bayou  Macon — thirty  miles  above  Vicksburg,  and  within  five  or  six 
miles  of  the  Mississippi  River.  The  enemy  were  taken  completely  by 
surprise,  not  expecting  such  a  force  in  such  a  quarter.  The  rebels  who 
have  ascended  to  that  region  will  be  obliged  to  move  further  back  from 
the  river,  if  not  go  away  altogether. 

Lieutenant-Commander  Selfridge  divided  his  forces  on  finding  that 
the  transports  which  had  been  carrying  stores  to  Walker's  army  had 
escaped  up  some  of  the  narrow  streams.  He  sent  the  Manitou  and 
Rattler  up  the  Little  Red  River — a  small  tributary  of  the  Black — and 
the  Forest  Rose  and  Petrel  up  the  Tensas.  The  night  was  dark  and  it 
was  raining  very  hard.  The  Manitou  and  Rattler  succeeded  in  captur 
ing  the  rebel  steamer  Louisville,  one  of  the  largest  and  perhaps  the  best 
steamer  in  the  Western  waters.  Up  the  Tensas,  or  one  of  its  tribu 
taries,  the  Forest  Rose  and  Petrel  captured  the  steamer  Elmira,  loaded 
with  stores,  sugar,  and  rum,  for  the  rebel  army.  Finding  that  the 
steamers  which  had  conveyed  General  Walker's  army  had  returned  up 
the  Wachita,  the  expedition  started  up  that  river,  and  came  suddenly 
upon  two  rebel  steamers;  but  the  rebels  set  them  on  fire,  and  they 
were  consumed  so  rapidly  that  their  names  could  not  be  ascertained. 
One  steamer,  loaded  with  ammunition,  escaped  above  the  fort  at  Harri- 
sonburg,  which  is  a  very  strong  work,  and  unassailable  with  wooden 
gunboats.  It  is  on  an  elevation  over  one  hundred  feet  high,  which  ele 
vation  covers  what  water  batteries  of  heavy  guns  there  are. 

Lieutenant-Commander  Selfridge  was  fortunate  enough,  however,  to 
hear  of  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  that  had  lately  been  hauled  from 
Natchez,  and  deposited  at  or  near  Trinity,  nearly  due  west  of  Natchez, 
and  from  whence  stores,  provisions,  cattle,  guns  and  ammunition  are 
transported.  He  captured  fifteen  thousand  rounds  of  smooth-bore  am 
munition,  ten  thousand  rounds  of  Enfield  rifle,  and  two  hundred  and 
twenty-four  rounds  of  fixed  ammunition  for  guns,  a  rifle  thirty-pounder 
Parrott  gun-carriage,  fifty-two  hogsheads  of  sugar,  ten  puncheons  of 
rum,  nine  barrels  of  flour,  and  fifty  barrels  of  salt — all  belonging  to  the 
Confederate  government.  At  the  same  time  they  heard  of  a  large 


A.ND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  329 

amount  of  ammunition  that  had  started  from  Natchez  for  Trinity,  and 
was  lying  in  wagons  on  the  roads  half  way  across.  He  dispatched  a 
boat  around  to  inform  me  of  it ;  but  General  Ransom,  who  had  landed 
a  few  days  before  at  Natchez,  hearing  of  it  also,  sent  a  detachment  of 
cavalry  and  captured  the  whole.  Thus  Walker's  army  is  left  almost 
without  ammunition. 

The  officers  and  men  have  shown  great  energy  on  this  expedition, 
and  have  met  with  no  mishap.  They  procured  a  good  deal  of  informa 
tion  by  which  future  movements  will  be  regulated.  The  people  in  the 
whole  of  that  section  are  very  hostile  to  the  government — rank  rebels. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

DAVID  D.  PORTER,  Eear-Admiral. 

YICKSBURO,  Miss.,  July  18,  1863. 
Major-General  H.  W.  H ALLEGE,  General-in-Chief: 

Joe  Johnston  evacuated  Jackson  on  the  night  of  the  16th  instant. 
He  is  now  in  full  retreat  east.  Sherman  says  most  of  Johnston's  army 
must  perish  from  heat,  lack  of  water,  and  general  discouragement. 

The  army  paroled  here  have  to  a  great  extent  deserted,  and  are  scat 
tered  over  the  country  in  every  direction. 

Learning  that  Yazoo  City  was  being  fortified,  I  sent  General  Herron 
the/e.  Five  guns  were  captured,  many  stores,  and  about  three  hun 
dred  prisoners. 

General  Ransom  was  sent  to  Natchez  to  stop  the  crossing  of  cattle 
for  the  Eastern  army.  On  arrival  he  found  that  large  numbers  had 
been  driven  out  of  the  city  to  be  pastured :  also  that  munitions  of  war 
had  recently  been  crossed  over  to  wait  for  Kirby  Smith.  He  mounted 
about  two  hundred  of  his  men  and  sent  them  in  both  directions. 

They  captured  a  number  of  prisoners  and  five  thousand  head  of 
Texas  cattle,  two  thousand  head  of  which  were  sent  to  General  Banks. 
The  balance  have  been  or  will  be  brought  here. 

In  Louisiana  they  captured  more  prisoners,  and  a  number  of  teams 
loaded  with  ammunition.  Over  two  million  rounds  of  ammunition  were 
brought  back  to  Natchez  with  the  teams  captured,  and  two  hundred 
and  sixty-eight  thousand  rounds,  besides  artillery  ammunition,  were  de 
stroyed.  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  Commanding. 

These  operations  may  be  said  to  have  closed  the  Missis 
sippi  Valley  campaign,  which  was  one  of  the  most  victori 
ous,  throughout,  that  had  occurred  from  the  commence- 


330  GENERAL   GRANT 

ment  of  the  war.  In  this  connection  it  is  due  to  the 
gentleman  concerned,  to  transcribe  a  portion  of  General 
Grant's  official  report.*  "  I  cannot  close  this  report,"  the 
General  writes,  "  without  an  expression  of  thankfulness  for 
ray  good  fortune  in  being  placed  in  co-operation  with  an 
officer  of  the  navy,  who  accords  to  every  move  that  seems 
for  the  interest  and  success  of  our  arms,  his  hearty  and 
energetic  support.  Admiral  Porter  arid  the  very  efficient 
officers  under  him  have  ever  shown  the  greatest  readiness 
in  their  co-operation,  no  matter  what  was  to  be  done  or 
what  risk  to  be  taken  either  by  their  men  or  their  vessels. 
Without  this  prompt  and  cordial  support  my  movements 
would  have  been  much  embarrassed,  if  not  wholly  de 
feated." 

Among  the  incidents  of  General  Grant's  occupation  of 
Yicksbur^  is  the  following:  A  major  in  the  rebel  army 
had  formerly  served  in  the  same  regiment  of  the  United 
States  army  with  Grant,  but  was  then  his  prisoner.  Grant 
treated  him  kindly,  invited  him  to  his  private  apartment, 
and  after  he  left,  gave  a  sketch  of  the  rebel's  former  life 
to  the  members  of  his  staff.  He  said,  that  when  the  rebel 
major  was  in  his  room  and  he  was  talking  to  him  about 
being  in  the  Confederate  service,  the  latter  replied,  "  Grant, 
I  tell  you,  I  ain't  much  of  a  rebel,  after  all,  and  when  I  am 
Daroled,  I  will  let  the  d — d  service  go  to  the  mischief." 

*  Published  in  full  in  the  Appendix. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  331 


CHAPTER  XLIY. 

HIS    SUCCESS    MADE     SURE. HIS    DEPARTMENT    SECURED. 

CARE    FOR   THE    SOLDIERS. 

GENERAL  GRANT,  having  gained  his  victories,  was  not  the 
man  to  allow  the  fruits  thereof  to  become  valueless,  by  neg 
lecting  the  duty  of  firmly  securing  them.  He  had  opened 
the  Mississippi,  from  its  source  to  the  Gulf;  it  therefore  be 
came  necessary  that  he  should  prevent  it  from  ever  again 
being  closed  by  the  enemy.  For  this  purpose  heascheif 
officer  located  his  head-quarters  at  Yicksburg,  in  order 
that  he  might  be  able  to  have  control  of  an  easy  access  to 
all  parts  of  his  department,  which  at  this  time  extended 
to  the  extreme  limits  of  the  State  of  Mississippi. 

In  a  very  short  space  of  time  the  department  was  re 
stored  to  peace,  if  not  to  order,  and  General  Grant  allowed 
himself  a  little  of  that  rest  so  much  needed  after  the  ardu 
ous  work  which  he  had  accomplished.* 

In  honor  of  the  victories  gained  by  General  Grant  with 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  a  magnificent  sword  was  pre- 

*  In  this  connection  it  might  be  stated  that  General  Grant's  wife, 
who  had  been  an  anxious  watcher  of  hia  military  movements  and  suc 
cess,  now,  that  victory  and  peace  were  secured  in  his  department,  left 
her  home  for  a  time  to  visit  her  husband,  at  the  noted  place  which  had 
caused  him  so  much  labor  and  anxiety  to  gain  the  possession  of,  and  the 
reduction  of  which  had  made  his  name  forever  famous  in  history. 
While  at  St.  Louis,  she  was,  in  honor  of  her  husband,  serenaded  by  a 
line  band,  attended  by  an  immense  throng  of  civilians.  After  the 
music  had  ceased,  three  rousing  cheers  were  given  by  the  crowd  for 
General  Grant,  and  three  more  for  Mrs.  Grant,  when  that  lady  appeared 
at  the  window,  with  Brigadier-General  Strong  standing  by  her  side, 


332  GENERAL    GRANT 

sented  to  him  by  the  officers  under  his  command.  The 
scabbard  was  of  solid  silver,  appropriately  and  most  beau 
tifully  finished.  The  handle  of  the  sword  represented  a 
carved  figure  of  a  young  giant,  crushing  the  rebellion,  and 
was  most  elaborately  designed.  The  box  in  which  it  was 
placed  was  made  of  rosewood,  bound  with  ivory,  and  lined 
with  velvet  and  white  satin.  On  the  interior  of  the  lid 
the  name  of  General  Grant  was  marked  with  crimson  silk. 
The  whole,  in  design,  execution,  and  intrinsic  value,  dis 
played  great  taste  on  the  part  of  those  selected  to  carry 
out  the  presentation. 

President  Lincoln  also  honored  the  victor  by  appointing 
him  to  the  vacant  major-generalship  in  the  regular  army  of 
the  United  States,  with  a  commission  dating  from  the  oc 
cupation  of  Yicksburg,  July  4th,  1863. 

General  Grant  had  been  very  strict  with  regard  to  ab 
sent  soldiers  and  officers,  during  the  time  their  presence 
was  needed  in  the  camp  and  field ;  but  now  that  victory 
had  been  secured,  he  allowed  them  more  latitude,  as  is 
evidenced  from  the  following  order  : 

and  on  repeated  calls  for  a  speech,  the  General,  in  behalf  of  Mrs.  Grant, 
responded : 

GENTLEMEN: — I  am  requested  by  Mrs.  Grant  to  express  her  acknowl 
edgment  for  the  honor  you  have  done  her  on  this  occasion.  I  know 
well  that,  in  tendering  her  thanks,  I  express  your  sentiments,  when  I 
say  the  compliment  through  her  to  her  noble  husband  is  one  merited 
by  a  brave  and  great  man,  who  has  made  his  name  forever  honored  and  im 
mortal,  in  the  history  of  America's  illustrious  patriots,  living  or  dead.  Mrs. 
Grant  does  not  desire,  in  the  testimony  you  have  offered,  that  you 
should  forget  the  brave  and  gallant  officers  and  soldiers,  who  have  so  largely 
assisted  in  bringing  about  the  glorious  result,  which  has  recently  caused 
the  big  heart  of  our  nation  to  leap  with  joy.  She  asks  you  also  to  stop 
and  drop  a  pensive  tear  over  the  graves  of  the  noble  dead,  who  have  fall-//  in. 
the  struggle,  that  you  and  I,  and  all  of  us,  might  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their 
patriotic  devotion  to  a  country  second  to  none  on  the  earth.  We  trust 
that  the  Mississippi  forever  will  be  under  the  control  of  our  glorious 
country.  Mrs.  Grant  is  now  on  the  way  to  join  her  husband,  who,  since 
the  commencement  of  the  war,  has  not  asked  for  one  day's  alsence.  He  1<  /••; 
not  found  time  to  be  sick.  With  these  remarks  she  bids  you  good- night, 
and  begs  that  you  accept  her  thousand  thanks. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  333 

.D-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VlCKSBURG,  MISSISSIPPI,  July  20,  1863.  ) 


[General  Orders,  No.  45.] 

In  pursuance  of  section  32,  of  an  act  entitled  "An  act  for  enrolling 
and  calling  out  the  national  forces,  and  for  other  purposes,"  approved 
March  3,  1863,  furloughs  may  be  granted  for  a  period  not  exceeding 
thirty  days  at  one  time,  to  five  per  centum  of  the  non-commissioned  ofii- 
cers  and  privates  of  each  regiment,  battery,  independent  company,  and 
detachment,  present  with  their  respective  commands  in  this  department, 
for  good  conduct  in  their  line  of  duty,  by  their  immediate  commanding 
officers,  approved  by  intermediate  and  army  corps  commanders.  Fur 
loughs  thus  granted  are  intended  for  the  benefit  of  well  men,  and  the 
sick  who  have  become  so  from  fatigue  or  exposure  in  the  line  of  duty. 

Under  no  circumstances  will  furloughs  be  given  to  men  who  have  shirked 
duty,  or  straggled  on  the. march,  or  from  camps.  Such  men  must  be  made 
to  perform  extra  fatigue  duty  by  their  immediate  commanding  officers, 
and  in  cases  where  this  is  not  regarded  as  sufficient  punishment,  they 
will  be  fined  in  an  amount  not  beyond  that  which  a  regimental  court- 
martial  is  authorized  to  impose.  The  amount  of  such  fine  will  be  enter 
ed  on  the  proper  muster  and  pay  rolls,  opposite  their  respective  names, 
and  the  cause  for  which  it  is  imposed  stated. 

By  order  of  Major- General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  A.  A.-G. 

The  open  rebel  sympathizers,  although  despising  the 
United  States  Government,  and  constantly  giving  practical 
aid  to  its  enemies,  were  ever  ready  to  send  their  negroes 
to  be  fed  by  the  military  authorities.  General  Grant  was 
determined  to  put  a  stop  to  this  proceeding,  and  issued 
the  following  order : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VICKSBURG,  MISSISSIPPI,  July  21,  1863.          ] 
[General  Orders,  No.  46.] 

1.  Hereafter  no  issues  of  provisions  will  be  made  for  contrabands, 
except  those  serving  in  regiments  or  in  contraband  camps. 

2.  Issues  of  provisions  will  not  be  made  to  citizens,  except  on  certifi 
cates  that  they  are  destitute,  and  have  no  means  of  purchasing  the  ne 
cessary  supplies  for  their  families.     These  certificates  must  state  the 


334  GENERAL    GRANT 

number  of  the  family,  and  the  time  for  which  they  draw,  which  shall 
not  exceed  ten  days  at  any  one  time. 

3.  In  making  issues  to  citizens,  only  articles  of  prime  necessity  will 
be  given,  i.  e.,  bread  and  meat,  and  these  at  the  rate  of  one  pound  of 
flour,  one  half  pound  of  salt  meat,  or  one  pound  of  fresh  beef,  to  the 
ation.  • 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JNO.  A.  RAWLINS,  A.  A.-G. 

The  matter  of  trade  with  the  rebels  had  always  been  a 
source  of  trouble  to  General  Grant,  as  he  found  that  per 
sons  so  engaged  were  far  more  ready  to  secure  to  them 
selves  the  profits  of  illicit  speculation  than  to  care  for  the 
success  of  the  Union  armies.  The  following  letter  to  the 
Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  clearly  sets  forth  his  feel 
ings  upon  this  matter,  and  explains  his  objections  to  the 
plan  of  "  Trade  following  the  Flag"  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VICKSBURQ,  Miss.,  July  21,  1863.  J 

SIR  : — Your  letter  of  the  4th  instant  to  me,  enclosing  a  copy  of  a 
letter  of  same  date  to  Mr.  Mellen,  special  agent  of  the  Treasury,  is  just 
received.  My  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  by  whom  I  shall  send  this 
letter,  is  about  starting  for  Washington ;  hence  I  shall  be  very  short  in 
my  reply. 

My  experience  in  West  Tennessee  has  convinced  me  that  any  trade  what 
ever  with  the  rebellious  States  is  weakening  to  us  of  at  least  thirty-three  per 
cent,  of  our  force.  No  matter  what  the  restrictions  thrown  around  trade, 
if  any  whatever  is  allowed  it  will  be  made  the  means  of  supplying  the 
enemy  what  they  want.  Restrictions,  if  lived  up  to,  make  trade  unprofitable, 
and  hence  none  but  dishonest  men  go  into  it.  I  will  venture  to  say  that  no  honest 
man  has  made  money  in  West  Tennessee  in  the  last  year,  while  many  fortunes 
h'jive  ~b^n  made,  there  during  the  time. 

The  people  in  the  Mississippi  Yalley  are  now  nearly  subjugated. 
Keep  trade  out  for  a  few  months,  and  I  doubt  not  but  that  the  work 
of  subjugation  will  be  so  complete,  that  trade  can  be  opened  freely  with 
the  States  of  Arkansas,  Louisiana,  and  Mississippi ;  that  the  people  of 
these  States  will  be  more  anxious  for  the  enforcement  and  protection  of 
our  laws  than  the  people  of  the  loyal  States.  They  have  experienced 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  335 

the  misfortune  of  being  without  them,  and  are  now  in  a  most  happy 
condition  to  appreciate  their  blessings. 

No  theory  of  my  own  will  ever  stand  in  the  way  of  my  executing,  in  good 
faith,  any  order  I  may  receive  from  those  in  authority  over  me;  but  my 
position  has  given  me  an  opportunity  of  seeing  what  would  not  be  known 
by  persons  away  from  the  scene  of  war,  and  I  venture,  therefore,  to  sug 
gest  great  caution  in  opening  trade  with  rebels. 
I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 
Hon.  S.  P.  CHASE,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

It  will,  however,  be  seen  by  the  last  paragraph,  that 
General  Grant,  like  a  true  soldier,  never  allowed  his  pri 
vate  feelings  to  stand  in  the  way  of  his  duty,  and  was  al 
ways  ready  to  render  a  cheerful  obedience  to  the  orders  of 
those  in  authority,  no  matter  how  it  might  interfere  with 
his  own  plans  or  views. 

By  the  end  of  July,  1863,  General  Grant  had  perfected  a 
complete  system  of  mounted  patrols  between  Vicksburg 
and  New  Orleans,  who,  with  the  gunboats,  afforded  ample 
protection  to  vessels.  Every  thing  soon  became  quiet,  and 
there  existed  no  signs  of  rebels  on  either  shore.  General 
Grant  ordered  all  si'5k  soldiers  in  hospital,  able  to  bear  the 
journey,  to  be  sent  home  on  thirty  days'  furlough,  and  all 
those  permanently  disabled  to  be  immediately  discharged 
or  recommended  for  membership  in  the  invalid  corps. 

The  following  is  an  evidence  of  General  Grant's  care  for 
the  soldiers  under  his  command,  and  his  determination  that 
they  should  not  be  imposed  upon  by  the  cormorants  that 
generally  hang  upon  the  trail  of  an  army  : 

When  General  Grant  issued  his  order,  No.  45,  granting 
furloughs  to  the  soldiers,  he  also  issued  a  special  order  for 
bidding  steamboat  men  to  charge  more  than  five  dollars  to 
enlisted  men,  and  seven  dollars  to  officers,  as  fare  between 
Vicksburg  and  Cairo.  Immediately  after  Vicksburg  had 


336  GENERAL    GKANT 

fallen  a  large  number  of  steamboats  cleared  from  Northern 
ports  for  that  place,  and  were  in  the  habit  of  charging 
soldiers  going  home  on  furlough  from  fifteen  to  thirty  dol 
lars'  fare  to  Cairo.  One  steamer  was  compelled  by  General 
Grant  to  disgorge  its  ill-gotten  gains,  under  the  following 
circumstances  : — This  boat  had  about  one  thousand  enlisted 
soldiers  and  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  officers  on  board, 
en  route  for  home  on  short  leave  of  absence,  after  the  fa 
tigues  of  their  protracted  but  glorious  campaign.  The 
captain  had  charged  these  men  and  officers  from  ten  to 
twenty-five  dollars  each  as  fare  to  Cairo.  Just  as  the  boat 
was  about  to  push  off  from  the  wharf  at  Yicksburg,  an 
order  came  from  General  Grant,  requiring  the  captain  to 
pay  back  to  his  passengers  all  money  received  by  him  as 
fare  in  excess  of  five  dollars  to  enlisted  men,  and  seven 
dollars  to  officers,  or  submit  to  imprisonment  for  diso 
bedience,  and  have  his  boat  confiscated.  The  order  cer 
tainly  caused  an  amount  of  disagreeable  astonishment  to 
the  captain  ;  but  the  presence  of  a  guard  rendered  it  use 
less  to  refuse  ;  and  so,  amid  the  shouts  of  the  soldiers  over 
their  General's  care  of  their  interests,  he  complied  with 
as  good  grace  as  possible,  and  paid  back  the  money.  A 
gentleman  who  was  a  passenger  on  this  occasion  had  been 
present  when  General  Grant  issued  the  order  above  re 
ferred  to.  The  General,  upon  being  informed  of  the  im 
positions  practised  upon  furloughed  men  and  officers  by 
steamboat  men,  was  very  indignant. 

"  I  will  teach  them,  if  they  need  the  lesson,"  said  the 
gallant  General,  "  that  the  men  who  have  periled  their 
lives  to  open  the  Mississippi  River  for  their  benefit  cannot 
be  imposed  upon  with  impunity." 

Can  it  be  wondered  at,  with  such  evidences  of  their 
General's  care,  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
should  fairly  worship  him  ? 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS. 

General  Grant  was  determined  to  eradicate  from  his 
partment,  all  bands  of  marauders,  guerillas,  and  irregular 
troopers,  wbo,  under  the  disguise  of  citizens,  committed 
depredations  within  the  Union  lines.  Neither  would  he 
allow  plundering  by  his  own  soldiers.  He  therefore  issued 
the  following  important  order  to  that  effect : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VICKSBURG,  Miss.,  August  1,  1 863.  J 

[General  Orders,  No.  50.] 

I.  All  regularly  organized  todies  of  the  enemy  having  been  driven  from 
those  parts  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  west  of  the  Tennessee  River,  and  from 
att  of  Mississippi  west  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad,  and  it  being  to 
the  interest  of  those  districts  not  to  invite  the  presence  of  armed  bodies 
of  men  among  them,  it  is  announced  that  the  most  rigorous  penalties  will 
hereafter  be  inflicted  upon  the  following  classes  of  prisoners,  to  wit:     All 
irregular  bodies  of  cavalry  not  mustered  and  paid  by  the  Confederate 
authorities ;  all  persons  engaged  in  conscripting,  enforcing  the  conscrip 
tion,  or  apprehending  deserters,  whether  regular  or  irregular;  all  citi 
zens  encouraging  or  aiding  the  same  ;  and  all  persons  detected  in  firing 
upon  unarmed  transports. 

It  is  not  contemplated  that  this  order  shall  affect  the  treatment  due 
to  prisoners  of  war  captured  within  the  districts  named,  when  they  are 
members  of  legally  organized  companies,  and  when  their  acts  are  in  accord 
ance  with  the  usages  of  civilized  warfare. 

II.  The  citizens  of  Mississippi,  within  the  limits  above  described,  are 
called  upon  to  pursue  their  peaceful  avocations,  in  obedience  to  the  laws 
of  the  United  States.     While  doing  so  in  good  faith,  all  United  States 
forces  are  prohibited  from  molesting  them  in  any  way.     It  is  earnestly  re 
commended  that  the  freedom  of  negroes  be  acknowledged,  and  that,  instead 
of  compulsory  labor,  contracts  on  fair  terms  be  entered  into  between 
the  former  masters  and  servants,  or  between  the  latter  and  other  per 
sons  who  may  be  willing  to  give  them  employment.     Such  a  system  as 
this,  honestly  followed,  will  result  in  substantial  advantages  to  all  par 
ties. 

AU  private  property  will  be  respected  except  when  the  use  of  it  is  neces 
sary  for  the  Government,  in  which  case  it  must  be  taken  under  the 
direction  of  a  corps  commander,  and  by  a  proper  detail  under  charge  of 
a  commissioned  officer,  with  specific  instructions  to  seize  certain  proper 
15 


338  GENERAL   GRANT 

ty  and  no  other.  A  staff-officer  of  the  quartermaster  or  subsistence 
department,  will,  in  each  instance,  be  designated  to  receipt  for  such  prop 
erty  as  may  be  seized,  the  property  to  be  paid  for  at  the  end  of  the  war 
on  proof  of  loyalty,  or  on  proper  adjustment  of  the  claim,  under  such 
regulations  or  laws  as  may  hereafter  be  established.  All  property  seized 
under  this  order  must  be  taken  up  on  returns  by  the  officers  giving 
receipts,  and  disposed  of  in  accordance  with  existing  regulations. 

III.  Persons  having  cotton,  or  other  produce  not  required  by  the  army, 
will  be  allowed  to  bring  the  same  to  any  military  post  within  the  State  of 
Mississippi,  and  abandon  it  to  the  agent  of  the  Treasury  Department  at 
said  post,  to  be  disposed  of  in  accordance  with  such  regulations  as  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  may  establish.     At  posts  where  there  is  no 
such  agent,  the  post  quartermaster  will  receive  all  such  property,  and, 
at  the  option  of  the  owner,  hold  it  till  the  arrival  of  the  agent,  or  send 
it  to  Memphis,  directed  to  Captain  A.  R.  Eddy,  Acting  Quartermaster, 
who  will  turn  it  over  to  the  properly  authorized  agent  at  that  place. 

IV.  Within  the  county  of  "Warren,  laid  waste  by  the  long  presence 
of  contending  armies,  the  following  rules,  to  prevent  suffering,  will  be 
observed : 

Major-General  Sherman,  commanding  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  and 
Major-General  McPherson,  commanding  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps, 
will  each  designate  a  commissary  of  subsistence,  who  will  issue  articles  of 
prime  necessity  to  all  destitute  families  calling  for  them,  under  such  restric 
tions  for  the. protection  of  the  Government  as  they  may  deem  necessary. 
Families  who  are  able  to  pay  for  the  provisions  drawn  will  in  all  cases  be 
required  to  do  so. 

V.  Conduct  disgraceful  to  the  American  name  has  been  frequently  re 
ported  to  the  Major-General  commanding,  particularly  on  the  part  of 
portions  of  the  cavalry.     Hereafter,  if  the  guilty  parties  cannot  be  reached, 
the  commanders  of  regiments  and  detachments  will  be  held  responsible,  and 
those  who  prove  themselves  unequal  to  the  task  of  preserving  discipline 
in  their  commands,  will  be  promptly  reported  to  the  "War  Department 
for  "muster  out."     Summary  punishment  must  be  inflicted  upon  all  offi 
cers  and  soldiers  apprehended  in  acts  of  violence  or  lawlessness. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWEKS,  Acting  A.  A.-O. 

The  negroes  in  the  Department  having  all  become  free 
by  virtue  of  President  Lincoln's  proclamation,  and  the  oc- 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  339 

cupation  of  the  country  by  the  United  States  authorities, 
General  Grant  issued  the  following  order  for  the  care  and 
disposition  of  such  as  were  without  protection  or  employ 
ment : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  or  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VICKSBURG,  Miss.,  August  10,  1863.  f 

[General  Orders,  No.  51.] 

I.  At  all  military  posts  in  States  withiii  this   department,   where 
slavery  has  been  abolished  by  the  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  camps  will  be  established  for  such  freed  people  of  color  as 
are  out  of  employment. 

II.  Commanders  of  posts  or  districts  will  detail  suitable  officers  from 
the  army  as  Superintendents  of  such  camps.    It  will  be  the  duty  of  such 
Superintendents  to  see  that  suitable  rations  are  drawn  from  the  Sub 
sistence  Department  for  such  people  as  are  confided  to  their  care. 

III.  All  such  persons  supported  by  the  Government  will  be  employed  in 
every  practicable  way  so  as  to  avoid,  as  far  as  possible,  their  becoming  a 
burden  upon  the  Government.     They  may  be  hired  to  planters  or  other 
citizens,  on  proper  assurance  that  the  negroes  so  hired  will  not  be  run 
off  beyond  the  military  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  ;  they  may  be 
employed  on  any  public  works,  in  gathering  crops  from  abandoned  plan 
tations,  and  generally  in  any  manner  local  commanders  may  deem  for 
the  best  interests  of  the  Government,  in  compliance  with  law  and  tho 
policy  of  the  Administration. 

IV.  It  will  be  the  duty  of  the  provost-marshal  at  every  military 
post,  to  see  that  every  negro  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  military  au 
thority  is  employed  by  some  white  person,  or  is  sent  to  the  camps  pro 
vided  for  freed  people. 

Y.  Citizens  may  make  contracts  with  freed  persons  of  color  for  their  la 
bor,  giving  wages  per  month  in  money,  or  employ  families  of  them  by  the 
year  on  plantations,  &c.,  feeding,  clothing,  and  supporting  the  infirm  as 
well  as  able-bodied,  and  giving  a  portion,  not  less  than  one-twentieth  of 
the  commercial  part  of  their  crops,  in  payment  for  such  services. 

VI.  Where  negroes  are  employed  under  this  authority,  the  parties  employ- 
ing  will  register  with  the  provost-marshal  their  names,  occupation,  and  resi 
dence,  and  the  number  of  negroes  so  employed.  They  will  enter  into  such 
bonds  as  the  provost-marshal,  with  the  approval  of  the  local  commander,  may 
require,  for  the  kind  treatment  and  proper  care  of  those  employed,  and  as  se 
curity  against  their  being  carrifd  beyond  the  employe's  jurisdiction. 


340  GENERAL   GRANT 

YH  Nothing  of  this  order  is  to  be  construed  to  embarrass  the  em 
ployment  of  such  colored  persons  as  may  be  required  by  the  Govern 
ment. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  Acting  A.  A.-G. 

Having  thus  secured  his  department  against  every  im 
portant  contingency,  and  having  made  provision  for  minor 
matters  that  did  not  require  his  personal  superintendence, 
General  Grant  devoted  a  little  time  for  the  purpose  of 
visiting  the  more  distant  districts  under  his  command, 
leaving  General  McPherson,  who  had  been  appointed  com 
mander  of  the  District  of  Vicksburg,  to  carry  out  the 
necessary  orders  in  that  immediate  neighborhood. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  341 


CHAPTER  XLY. 

VISIT  TO   MEMPHIS   AND   NEW    OELEANS. 

ON  the  25th  of  August,  1863,  General  Grant  arrived  at 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  received  with  great  honor 
by  the  inhabitants  of  that  city,  although  it  was  late  in  the 
evening  before  he  arrived. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning  a  committee  of  citizens 
waited  upon  the  General  to  tender  him  the  hospitalities 
of  the  city  and  to  present  to  him  a  series  of  resolutions 
passed  at  a  meeting  of  the  residents  of  Memphis  held  on 
the  day  of  his  arrival.  At  the  close  of  the  address  an  invi 
tation  was  proffered  to  General  Grant  to  be  present  at  a 
dinner  to  be  given  in  his  honor  that  evening.  The  General 
received  the  committee  cordially,  but  without  further  words 
than  the  thanking  of  the  gentlemen,  and  through  them  the 
citizens  of  Memphis,  for  the  great  courtesy  conferred  upon 
him.  After  these  ceremonious  proceedings,  an  interview 
took  place  as  to  the  most  desirable  time  for  the  entertain 
ment.  The  General  signifying  his  satisfaction,  nine  o'clock 
was  appointed.  The  committee  then  withdrew,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  the  business  of  preparation. 

The  festival  and  reception  was  on  a  grand  scale,  and  is 
thus  described  by  one  who  was  present : 

At  precisely  nine  o'clock  the  band  struck  up  one  of  the  national  airs, 
the  doors  of  the  reception-room  flew  open,  and  General  Grant  made  his 
appearance.  There  was  a  great  rush  on  the  part  of  the  enthusiastic  and 
impatient  to  grasp  the  hero's  hand.  An  hour,  at  least,  though  it  seemed 
less,  was  thus  consumed  in  hand-shaking  and  congratulations.  After 


342  GENERAL    GRANT 

the  lapse  of  this  time  the  band  again  sent  forth  its  melody  in  the  shape 
of  a  march.  The  whole  assemblage  then  formed  in  two  ranks,  headed 
by  General  Grant.  This  being  done,  the  entire  party  marched  into  the 
dining-room,  made  the  complete  round  of  the  tables,  examining  the 
preparations,  and  then  seated  themselves.  As  would  be  expected,  no 
sooner  had  each  individual  fastened  himself  to  his  seat,  than  commenced 
a  grand,  simultaneous  and  destructive  assault  upon  the  various  dishes 
before  him.  Under  the  withering  gastronomic  abilities  of  the  assem 
blage  the  victory  was  complete,  and  wound  up  by  the  total  wreck  and 
dissipation  of  the  scene  which,  but  a  few  moments  before,  shone  refulgent 
in  all  its  beauty.  There  suddenly  appeared  a  masked  battery  of  cham 
pagne  on  our  rear,  which  opened  upon  the  guests  a  vigorous  champagne 
cannonade.  Soon  the  engagement  became  general,  and,  like  all  general 
engagements,  everybody  did  pretty  much  as  he  pleased,  so  that  he  kept 
in  the  ranks  and  did  not  shirk,  or  leave  the  field. 

Next  followed  the  regular  toasts  of  the  evening. 

The  assemblage  being  called  to  order,  the  chairman  arose  and  stated 
the  fact. 

The  toasts  were  then  read. 

"  The  United  States  of  America — They  have  one  constitution  and 
government.  May  they  have  one  grand  destiny  while  human  institutions 
endure."  Responded  to  by  Hon.  Chas.  Kortrecht. 

"  The  Army  and  Navy — Their  deeds  and  heroism  in  this  war  will  be 
the  noble  theme  of  poet  and  historian  in  all  futi  ,re  tune."  Responded  to 
by  Adjutant-General  Lorenzo  Thomas. 

"  General  Grant— the  guest  of  the  city." 

This  was  the  signal  for  the  wildest  applause,  and  it  was  some  minutes 
before  order  could  be  restored.  It  was  expected  that  General  Grant  would 
be  brought  to  his  feet  by  this ;  but  the  company  were  dissapointed  upon 
perceiving  that  instead  his  place  was  taken  by  his  staff-surgeon,  Dr. 
Hewitt,  who  remarked : 

"  I  am  instructed  by  General  Grant  to  say  that,  as  he  has  never  been 
given  to  public  speaking,  you  will  have  to  excuse  him  on  this  ocasion, 
and,  as  I  am  the  only  member  of  his  staff  present,  I  therefore  feel  it  my 
duty  to  thank  you  for  this  manifestation  of  your  good- will,  as  also  the 
numerous  other  kindnesses  of  which  he  has  been  the  recipient  ever  since 
his  arrival  among  you.  General  Grant  believes  that  in  all  he  has  done  he 
has  no  more  than  accomplished  a  duty,  and  one,  too,  for  which  no  particular 
honor  is  due.  But  the  world,  as  you  do,  will  accord  otherwise." 

The  Doctor  then  proposed,  at  General  Grant's  request — 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  343 

"  The  officers  of  the  different  staffs,  and  the  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee." 

"  The  Federal  Union — it  must  and  will  be  preserved."  Responded 
to  by  Major-General  S.  A.  Hurlbut. 

"  The  Old  Flag — May  its  extinguished  stars,  rekindled  by  the  sacred 
name  of  human  liberty,  continue  to  shine  forever  undiminished  in  num 
ber,  and  undimmed  in  splendor."  Brigadier-G-eneral  Yeatch. 

"  The  President  of  the  United  States — He  must  be  sustained."  Colo 
nel  J.  W.  Fuller. 

The  Star-Spangled  Banner  was  here  sung,  the  whole  party  joining  in 
the  chorus. 

"  The  Loyal  Men  of  Tennessee — Their  devotion  to  the  Union,  the 
cause  of  republican  government  and  constitutional  liberty  is  like  gold 
tried  sevea  times  "by  fire.1'  Mr.  J.  M.  Tomeny.* 


*  Dr.  Morris  here  read  the  following  lines  composed  in  honor  of  Gen 
eral  Grant: 

DESOTO,  FULTON,  GRANT, 

4  The  daring  Spaniard,  when  his  eyes  beheld, 

For  the  first  time,  yon  noble  river  roll, 
And  sparkle  in  the  sunbeams,  as  it  bore 
Its  mighty  current  onward  to  the  sea, 
Fell  upon  bended  knee  and  worshipped  God 
Aloud,  for  that  his  painful  task  was  done, 
The  secret  of  the  ages  he  had  solved — 
The  Mississippi,  sire  of  floods,  stood  forth, 
Embanked  in  verdure,  bordered  by  a  soil 
Richer  than  Egypt's  Delta. 

Science  and  commerce  winged  their  pinions  there, 
And  wrote  his  name,  De  Soto,  on  their  scrolls. 

Ages  rolled  by,  the  tawny  savage  fled — 

The  white  man  launched  his  boat  upon  the  flood, 

The  forest  fell,  the  fertile  soil  gave  back 

Unto  the  sower's  hand  a  hundred-fold : 

Then  rose  the  genius  Fulton,  and  he  taught 

To  stem  the  unconquered  flood,  to  push  the  weight 

Of  mightiest  keels  against  the  heaving  mass, 

That  untold  centuries  had  crowned  with  power. 

He  sent  his  messengers  in  smoke  and  flame 

Up  to  the  Mississippi's  very  fount ; 

And  by  the  Spaniard's  name  he  wrote  his  own — 

Fulton,  the  nation's  benefactor. 


344  GENEEAL    GRANT 

The  remainder  of  the  toasts  were  of  a  local  character,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  closing  one,  which  was  as  follows : 

"  General  Grant — Your  Grant  and  my  Grant.  Having  granted  us 
victories,  grant  us  the  restoration  of  the  "  Old  Flag;"  grant  us  supplies^ 
HO  that  we  may  grant  to  our  friends  the  grant  to  us." 

The  festivities  were  kept  up  until  near  three  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
when  General  Grant  withdrew  from  the  room. 


Yon  sire  of  floods  was  the  great  bond  that  joined 
These  waters  into  one :  his  bosom  bore 
In  precious  freightage  all  that  Nature  yields 
From  farthest  North  down  to  a  torrid  clime ; 
Its  channel  was  the  highway  of  the  West : 
Science  had  made  his  heaving  mass  her  own ; 
Pleasure  danced  revelry  upon  its  floods  ; 
Beauty  and  love  dwelt  by  him  all  secure ; 
Fraternal  hands  joined  hands  along  his  banks ; 
His  very  waters  made  us  all  akin. 

Then  spoke  an  enemy — and  on  his  banks 

Armed  men  appeared,  and  cannon-shot  proclaimed 

The  Mississippi  closed — that  mighty  stream 

Found  by  De  Soto,  and  by  Fulton  won  I 

One  thought  to  chain  him !  ignominious  thought ! 

But  then  the  grand  old  monarch  shook  his  locks 

And  burst  his  fetters  like  a  Samson  freed  I 

The  heights  were  crowned  with  ramparts  sheltering  those 

Whose  treason  knew  no  bounds :  the  frowning  forts 

Belched  lightnings,  and  the  morning  gun 

A  thousand  miles  told  mournfully  the  tale, 

The  Mississippi  closed. 

Not  long ;  from  the  Lord  God  of  Hosts  was  sent 
A  leader  who  with  patient  vigil  planned 
A  great  deliverance :  height  by  height  was  gained, 
Island  and  hill  and  woody  bank  and  cliff. 
Month  followed  month,  till  on  our  natal  day 
The  last  great  barrier  fell,  and  never  more 
The  sire  of  waters  shall  obstruction  know  I 
Now  with  De  Sofa's  name,  and  Fulton's,  see 
The  greater  name  of  Grant! 

Our  children's  children,  noNc  Grant,  shall  sing 
That  great  deliverance  !     On  the  floods  of  spring 
Thy  name  shall  sparkle,  smiling  commerce  tell 
Thy  great  achievement  which  restores  the  chain, 
Never  again  to  break,  which  makes  us  one. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  345 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  evening  entertainment  General  Grant  im 
mediately  left  for  the  steamer  City  of  Alton,  which  was  lying  at  the 
wharf,  and  took  his  departure  at  once  for  Yicksburg. 

Before  leaving  the  city  General  Grant  forwarded  to  the  Committee  of 
the  People  the  following  letter : 

MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE,  August  26,  1863. 

GENTLEMEN: — I  received  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  passed  by  the 
"  loyal  citizens  of  Memphis  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  rooms  of  the  Cham 
ber  of  Commerce,  August  25th,  1863,"  tendering  me  a  public  reception. 

In  accepting  this  testimonial,  which  I  do  at  a  great  sacrifice  of  my 
personal  feelings,  I  simply  desire  to  pay  a  tribute  to  the  first  public 
exhibition  in  Memphis  of  loyalty  to  the  government  which  I  represent 
in  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee.  I  should  dislike  to  refuse,  for 
considerations  of  personal  convenience,  to  acknowledge,  anywhere  or 
in  any  form,  the  existence  of  sentiments  which  I  have  so  long  and  so 
ardently  desired  to  see  manifested  in  this  department.  The  stability  of 
this  government  and  the  unity  of  this  nation  depend  solely  on  the  cor 
dial  support  and  the  earnest  loyalty  of  the  people.  While,  therefore,  I 
thank  you  sincerely  for  the  kind  expressions  you  have  used  toward  my 
self,  I  am  profoundly  gratified  at  this  public  recognition,  in  the  city  of  Mem 
phis,  of  the  power  and  authority  of  the  government  of  the  United  States. 

I  thanjc  you,  too,  in  the  name  of  the  noble  army  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  command.  It  is  composed  of  men  whose  loyalty  is  proved  by 
their  deeds  of  heroism  and  their  willing  sacrifices  of  life  and  health. 
They  will  rejoice  with  me  that  the  miserable  adherents  of  the  rebellion, 
whom  their  bayonets  have  driven  from  this  fair  land,  are  being  replaced 
by  men  who  acknowledge  human  liberty  as  the  only  true  foundation 
of  human  government.  May  your  efforts  to  restore  your  city  to  the 
cause  of  the  Union  be  as  successful  as  have  been  theirs  to  reclaim  it 
from  the  despotic  rule  of  the  leaders  of  the  rebellion.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  gentlemen,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General. 

Messrs.  R.  HOUGH  and  others,  Committee,  Memphis. 

The  affair  of  all  sides  was  a  triumphant  success.  The  hospitality  of 
Memphis,  the  liberality  of  its  citizens,  and  the  unmistakable  evidences 
of  their  loyalty,  so  enthusiastically  set  forth,  will,  beyond  all  doubt,  be 
cherished  by  General  Grant  as  one  of  the  happiest  recollections  of  his 


*  New  York  Herald's  Memphis  correspondence. 


346  GENERAL   GRANT 

General  Grant  did  not  long  remain  at  Vicksburg,  but 
proceeded  down  the  river  to  inspect  the  posts  at  Natchez 
and  other  points  of  his  department,  after  which  he  paid  a 
visit  to  General  Banks  at  New  Orleans  for  the  purpose  of 
opening  up  trade  between  that  city  and  the  North.  Gene 
ral  Grant  arrived  at  New  Orleans  on  the  2d  of  September, 
within  one  week  from  the  time  he  left  Memphis,  and  the 
next  day  it  was  announced  that  the  trade  of  the  city  of 
New  Orleans  with  Cairo,  St.  Louis,  and  the  cities  and  towns 
of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  the  Missouri  and  Ohio  rivers,  was 
declared  free  from  any  military  restriction  whatever.  The 
trade  of  the  Mississippi  at  intermediate  points  within  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf  was  held  subject  only  to  such  limi 
tations  as  might  prove  necessary  to  prevent  the  supply  of 
provisions  and  munitions  of  war  to  the  enemies  of  the 
country. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  September  1863,  General 
Grant  held  a  grand  review  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps, 
which  had  been  under  his  command  at  Vicksburg,  but  was 
afterwards  transferred  to  that  of  General  Banks.  A  corre  • 
spondent  thus  described  the  appearance  of  General  Grant  as 
he  moved  from  his  hotel  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  most 
prominent  part  in  the  review : — 

"  General  Banks,  accompanied  by  a  numerous  staff,  was 
at  the  St.  Charles  Hotel  as  early  as  eight  o'clock,  and  at  nine 
o'clock  both  generals  left  for  Carrolton,  where  the  review 
took  place.  The  street  was  crowded  to  witness  the  depart 
ure  of  these  officers,  alt  present  being  desirous  of  seeing 
General  Grant.  He  was  in  undress  uniform,  without 
sicord,  sash,  or  belt;  coat  unbuttoned,  a  low-crowned 
black  felt  hat,  without  any  mark  upon  it  of  military 
rank  ;  a  pair  of  kid  gloves,  and  a  cigar  in  his  mouth. 
It  must  be  known,  however,  that  he  is  never  without  the 
latter  except  when  asleep." 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  347 

During  the  review,  General  Grant,  although  a  good 
horseman,  being  mounted  on  a  strange  horse,  was  sud 
denly  thrown  from  his  seat,  and  severely  injured.  At 
this  particular  time  the  mishap  was  of  serious  conse 
quence  with  regard  to  the  campaigns  in  the  Southwest, 
as  may  be  judged  from  the  annual  report  of  the  General- 
in-Chief. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  following  extract  from  that  docu 
ment,  that  it  was  intended  that  General  Grant  should  have 
taken  command,  in  September,  1863,  of  the  Union  forces 
moving  towards  Northwestern  Georgia ;  but  in  conse 
quence  of  his  accident  he  was  prevented  from  so  doing. 

As  three  separate  armies — those  of  the  Ohio,  Cumberland,  and  Ten 
nessee — were  now  to  operate  in  the  same  field,  it  seemed  necessary  to 
have  a  single  commander,  in  order  to  secure  a  more  perfect  co-operation 
than  had  been  obtained  with  the  separate  commands  of  Burnside  and 
Rosecrans.  General  Grant,  by  his  distinguished  services  and  superior  rank 
to  all  the  other  generals  in  the  West,  seemed  entitled  to  this  general 
command.  But,  unfortunately,  he  was  at  this  time  in  New  Orleans,  un 
able  to  take  the  field.  Moreover,  there  was  no  telegraphic  communica 
tion  with  him,  and  the  dispatches  of  September  13th,  directed  to  him  and 
General  Sherman,  did  not  reach  them  until  some  days  after  their  dates, 
thus  delaying  the  movement  of  General  Grant's  forces  from  Yicksburg. 
General  Hurlbut,  however,  had  moved  the  troops  of  his  own  corps,  then 
in  West  Tennessee,  with  commendable  promptness.  These  were  to  be 
replaced  by  re -enforcements  from  Ste^le's  Corps  in  Arkansas,  which  also 
formed  part  of  General  Grant's  army.  Hearing  nothing  from  General 
Grant  or  General  Sherman's  Corps  at  Yicksburg,  it  was  determined  on 
the  23d  to  detach  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps  from  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  send  them  by  rail,  under  the  command  of  General 
Hooker,  to  protect  General  Rosecrans's  line  of  communication  from 
Bridgeport  to  Nashville.  It  was  known  that  these  troops  could  not  go 
immediately  to  the  front.  To  send  more  men  to  Chattanooga,  when 
those  already  there  could  not  be  fully  supplied,  would  only  increase  the 
embarrassment,  and  probably  cause  the  evacuation  of  that  place.  In 
other  words,  Hooker's  command  was  temporarily  performing  the  duties 
previously  assigned  to  the  re-enforcements  ordered  from  Grant's  army. 


348  GENERAL   GRANT 

General  Grant's  injuries  were  of  such  a  serious  nature 
that  it  was  feared  he  would  never  be  able  to  take  the 
field  again.  He  was  carried  from  Carrolton  on  a  litter  to 
the  steamer  "Franklin,"  which  took  him  up  the  river; 
his  breastbone  was  said  to  have  been  crushed,  three  ribs 
broken,  and  one  side  paralyzed ;  and  his  brain  was  thought 
to  be  afiected  from  the  concussion  of  the  fall  from  his  horse. 
Fortunately,  for  the  country,  by  the  aid  of  a  good  surgeon, 
he  was  enabled  after  over  a  month's  illness  to  take  the  posi 
tion  destined  for  him,  as  Chief  Commander  in  the  West. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  349 


CHAPTER  XLYI. 

AX   ENLARGED   COMMAND. — MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI. 

GENERAL  GRANT,  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  move,  began 
his  voyage  up  the  Mississippi  River,  agreeably  to  the 
orders  from  Washington.  On  his  road  he  stopped  at  the 
principal  depots  of  his  troops  along  the  Mississippi,  and  ar 
ranged  for  their  departure  eastward,  at  such  proper  times 
as  would  enable  them  to  form  a  combination  with  the  forces 
at  Chattanooga. 

While  at  Vicksburg,  General  Grant  was  determined  that 
his  men  should  be  paid,  and  issued  an  order  to  that  effect. 
It  was  also  necessary  for  him  to  make  a  tariff  of  rates  to 
prevent  impositions  being  practised  upon  the  war-ruined 
people  of  the  Southwest/-  The  exorbitant  prices  of  pas 
sage  on  the  Mississippi  River  called  forth  from  department 
head-quarters  the  last  paragraph  of  the  following  order  in 
relation  to  river  matters : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OP  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VICKSBURG,  Miss.,  September,  29,  1863.  ) 

[General  Orders,  No.  59.] 

I.  All  enlisted  men  on  detached  service,  in  army  corps  other  than  that 
in  which  their  regiments,  detachments,  or  companies  are  serving,  except 
those  detailed  by  orders  from  department  head-quarters,  as  nurses  ha 
general  hospitals  and  hospital  steamers,  and  clerks  in  staff  departments, 
are  hereby  relieved  from  such  detached  service,  and  will  report  to  their 
respective  commands  for  duty. 

Army  Corps  commanders  will  see  that  ^this  order  is  carried  into  im 
mediate  execution. 

II.  Company  and  regimental  commanders  will  furnish  to  the  officer  in 
charge  of  men  of  their  respective  commands,  absent  in  hospitals  or  at 


350  GENERAL   GRANT 

parole  camps,  proper  descriptive  lists  and  accounts  of  pay  and  clothing, 
to  enable  them  to  draw  their  pay.  Such  descriptive  lists  must  contain  the 
name,  rank,  description,  where  born,  occupation,  when,  where,  and  by 
whom  enrolled  or  enlisted,  when,  where,  by  whom,  and  for  what  period 
mustered,  by  what  paymaster,  and  to  what  time  last  paid,  the  bounty 
paid  and  amount  still  due,  and  the  amount  due,  to  or  from  him,  fo1*  cloth 
ing,  with  the  proper  remarks  showing  his  military  history,  etc.  Descrip 
tive  lists  showing  less  than  this  are  valueless.  Hereafter  no  enlisted  man 
will  be  sent  from  his  company  or  regiment  without  such  descriptive  list  as  is 
herein  required  being  furnished  to  the  proper  officer  in  charge,  and  any  neg 
lect  to  comply  ivith  this  order  will  subject  the  offender  to  trial  by  court-mar' 
tial  and  dismissal  from  the  service. 

It  wiU  be  the  duty  of  all  officers  of  the  Inspector- General's  Department  to 
properly  inspect  and  report  any  neglect  of  duty  in  this  particular* 

III.  Army  Corps  commanders  will  announce  in  general  orders  the 
acting  assistant  inspectors-general  of  districts,  divisions,  and  brigades 
within  their  respective  corps,  and  will  authorize  them  to  make  inspec 
tions  and  recommend  the  disposal  of  unserviceable  property,  in  accor 
dance  with  army  regulations  and  orders. 

So  much  of  paragraph  third  of  General  Orders,  No.  30,  current  series, 
from  these  head-quarters,  as  requires  the  acting  assistant  inspectors- 
general  of  districts,  divisions,  and  brigades,  to  report  direct  to  the  Assist 
ant  Inspector-General  at  department  head-quarters,  is  revoked,  and  all 
reports  required  by  army  regulations  and  existing  orders  will  be  for 
warded  through  the  proper  military  channels. 

IV.  So  much  of  General  Orders,  No.  49,  current  series,  from  these 
head-quarters,  as  establishes  the  rates  of  transportation  and  subsistence 
of  commissioDed  officers  travelling  on  steamboats  within  this  depart 
ment,  is  hereby  revoked,  and  in  lieu  thereof  is  substituted  the  rates  of 
military  transportation  and  subsistence  established  by  Colonel  Lewis  B. 
Parsons,  Assistant-Quartermaster  and  General  Superintendent  of  Trans 
portation  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  August  1st,  1863,  viz. : 

TO  OB  FROM  ST.  LOUIS  TO  THE  FOLLOWING  PLACES  : 

Cairo  to  Columbus $4    Yicksburg $1G 

Memphis 10     Port  Hudson 18 

Helena 12     New  Orleans 20 

*  General  Grant  was  determined  that  soldiers  should  not  lose  their 
pay  through  the  carelessness  of  their  officers. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  351 

And  to  or  from  all  intermediate  points  at  like  rates  in  proportion  to 
distance  transported. 

Enlisted  men  will  be  entitled  to  travel  as  cabin  passengers,  when  they 
desire  it,  at  same  rates. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

JOHN  A.  RAWLINS,  Brig.- Gen.  and  A.  A.-G. 

General  Grant,  before  he  left  the  Department  of  the  Ten 
nessee,  regulated  the  military  civic  jurisdiction  over  the 
conquered  region  around  Vicksburg. 

The  administration  of  the  city  was  excellent,  and  the 
numerous  ^secessionists  still  remaining  there  were  kept 
strictly  on  their  good  behavior  in  dread  of  "  exile,"  as  they 
considered  the  operation  of  sending  them  to  their  friends 
within  the  rebel  lines.  The  following  officers  composed 
the  administration  : — District  Commander,  Major-General 
James  B.  McPherson  ;  Post  Commander,  Major-General 
John  A.  Logan  ;  District  Provost-Marshal,  Lieutenant-Col 
onel  James  Wilson ;  Post  Provost-Marshal,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Waddell.  As  a  reward  for  special  bravery  General 
Grant  instituted  the  "Insignia  of  Honor"  for  the  Seven 
teenth  Corps.  The  design  of  the  medals  was  a  blending 
of  the  crescent,  a  star  and  a  shield ;  the  base  being  formed 
of  the  crescent,  to  the  two  extremities  of  which  was  fixed 
the  star,  while  pendant  from  its  lower  point  was  suspended 
a  shield.  Upon  the  crescent  the  words  "  Vicksburg,  July 
4,  1863."  The  object  in  the  presentation  of  these  badges 
was  to  reward  the  meritorious  members  of  the  Seven 
teenth  Corps  for  conspicuous  valor  on  the  field  of  battle  or 
endurance  in  the  march.  This  famous  corps  since  its 
organization  had  been  foremost  in  duty  and  deeds  of  glory 
throughout  the  entire  campaign  against  Vicksburg.  and 
no  better  method  could  have  been  adopted  to  continue  in 
the  future  the  same  excellent  spirit  of  emulation  for  which 
it  has  always  been  celebrated,  both  on  the  part  of  officers 
and  men. 


352  GENERAL   GRANT 

The  following  General  Order  was  issued  by  the  Corps 
commander,  at  the  instigation  of  General  Grant,  in  rela 
tion  to  the  distribution  of  these  badges : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  SEVENTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 
DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 

YICKSBURG,  Miss.,  Oct.  2,  1863.      ) 
[General  Orders,  No.  30.] 

I.  In  order  to  encourage  and  reward  the  meritorious  and  faithful 
officers  and  men  of  this  corps,  a  "Medal  of  Honor,"  with  appropriate 
device,  has  been  prepared,  and  will  be  presented  by  a  "  Board  of  Honor," 
of  which  the  Major- General  commanding  is  the  advisory  member,  to  all 
those  who,  by  their  gallantry  in  action  and  other  soldierlike  qualities, 
have  most  distinguished  themselves,  or  who  may  hereafter  most  dis 
tinguish  themselves,  during  the  war. 

II.  The  following  officers  will  constitute  the  "Board  of  Honor"  here 
by  appointed : 

Major-General  John  A.  Logan,  commanding  Third  Division. 

Brigadier-General  John  Me  Arthur,  commanding  First  Division. 

Brigadier-General  John  E.  Smith,  commanding  Second  Division. 

Brigadier-General  M.  M.  Crocker,  commanding  Fourth  Division. 

Brigadier-General  T.  E.  G.  Eansom,  commanding  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division. 

Brigadier-General  M.  M.  Force,  commanding  Second  Brigade,  Third 
Division. 

Brigadier-General  "W.  Q.  Gresham,  commanding  Third  Brigade, 
Fourth  Division. 

Brigadier-General  Alex.  Chambers,  commanding  Third  Brigade,  First 
Division. 

Colonel  Gabriel  Bouck,  Eighteenth  "Wisconsin  Infantry. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  M.  Powell,  Chief  of  Artillery. 

III.  Company  commanders  will  forward  to  the  commanding  officer  of 
their  regiment  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  and 
men  of  their  command  whom  they  deem  entitled  to  receive  the  "  med 
al,"  accompanied  by  a  full  and  complete  statement  of  facts  to  guide  the 
"Board"  in  their  award.     These  lists  will  be  revised  by  the  regimental 
commander,  who  will  forward  them,  with  his  remarks,  to  the  command 
ing  officer  of  the  brigade. 

IV.  Regimental  commanders  will  send  similar  lists  of  those  officers 
of  their  command  whom  they  believe  entitled  to  the  "medal,"  to  the 


AXD   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  853 

brigade  commander,  who,  after  revising  the  whole,  will  send  them  di 
rect  to  the  President  of  the  "Board." 

V.  The  "Board  of  Honor"  will  be  convened  upon  the  order  of  the 
President,  at  such  times  and  places  as  he  may  direct,  and  they  are  em 
powered  to  make  all  needful  rules  and  regulations  for  the  attainment 
of  the  object  of  this  order — the  just  and  impartial  award  to  the  most 
deserving  of  the  "  Medal  of  Honor." 

By  order  of  Major-General  JAS.  B.  McPHERSON. 

TV.  T.  CLARK,  A.  A.-G. 


After  the  repulse  of  the  forces  at  Chickamauga  in  front 
of  Chattanooga,  important  movements  of  troops  com 
menced  from  General  Grant's  department  toward  that 
place.  All  of  General  Sherman's  Fifteenth  Army  Corps, 
excepting  General  Tuttle's  Division,  was  transported  from 
Vicksburg  to  the  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
Railroad.  On  Saturday,  October  10th,  General  Oster- 
haus's  Division  entered  luka.  No  considerable  body  of 
rebels  were  encountered  anywhere  on  the  march  between 
luka  and  Corinth.  The  rebel  cavalry  were  seen  hovering 
on  the  Union  flank  and  front, continually,  although  they 
gave  but  little  trouble  or  uneasiness.  A  reconnoissance 
was  made  on  October  llth  by  two  regiments  of  infantry, 
a  section  of  artillery,  and  one  company  of  cavalry,  and  re 
vealed  a  battalion  of  cavalry  at  the  crossing  of  Bear  Creek, 
five  miles  east  of  luka. 

In  the  mean  time,  it  was  known  by  the  rebels  that  Gene 
ral  Sherman  was  at  Memphis,  and  intended  to  pass  over 
the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad  to  Chattanooga.  A 
body  of  rebel  cavalry  and  infantry  therefore  concentrated 
at  Wyeth,  a  small  village  on  the  Tallahatchie,  where  were 
located  the  head-quarters  of  Colonel  Chalmers.  This  force 
was  further  increased  by  the  addition  of  a  number  of  con 
scripts.  Having  thus  gathered  all  the  numbers  they  could 
in  the  country,  Chalmers  found  himself  at  the  head  of 


354  GENERAL   GRANT 

about  four  thousand  men  of  all  kinds  and  five  pieces  of  ar 
tillery.  With  this  command  he  moved  north,  and  on  the 
morning  of  October  llth  made  his  appearance  upon  the 
railroad,  several  miles  beyond  Colliersville.  The  regular 
passenger  train,  though  in  his  power,  the  enemy  allowed 
to  pass,  but  as  soon  as  that  had  run  by,  working  parties 
were  thrown  upon  the  track,  which  was  torn  up  in  several 
places  and  the  ties  stacked  upon  the  road  and  fired.  These 
fires  proved  a  fortunate  circumstance,  as,  soon  after,  General 
Sherman  and  staff,  accompanied  by  his  body  guard,  a  bat 
talion  of  the  Thirteenth  Regulars,  approached  the  place  on 
an  extra  train.  Discovering  the  fires,  the  troops  on  board 
prepared  for  an  attack,  though  they  did  not  disembark, 
and  the  entire  party  ran  up  to  the  station.  As  they  were 
passing  a  certain  point,  as  was  expected,  the  enemy  fired 
upon  the  train,  particularly  into  the  -passenger  car,  wound 
ing  several  persons.  Having  run  up  to  the  stockade,  the 
enemy  closed  in  upon  the  Union  troops,  and  commenced  a 
fire  from  all  directions.  In  order  to  cover  the  transit  of  the 
United  States  troops  from  the  train  to  the  stockade,  the 
regulars  made  a  charge  out  of  the  cars  and  directly  upon 
the  enemy,  who  fled  in  all  directions  in  a  perfect  panic. 
The  entire  force  then  succeeded  in  taking  refuge  within 
the  stockade,  and  acted  entirely  on  the  defensive. 

Before  General  Sherman  arrived,  the  garrison  had  en 
gaged  the  enemy  in  a  desperate  conflict,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  appearance  they  had  been  overwhelmed  and  driven 
within  the  fortifications  of  the  place.  The  fight  continued 
but  a  short  time  after  the  opportune  arrival  of  the  regu 
lars,  though  while  it  did  the  General  took  an  active  part 
among  the  men.  His  presence  had  much  to  do  with  keep 
ing  up  their  spirits. 

The  enemy  soon  exhibited  signs  of  discomfiture.  Imme 
diately  upon  the  receipt  of  information  that  the  enemy 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  855 

was  in  this  neighborhood,  a  strong  body  of  infantry  re- 
enforcements  was  ordered  from.  Memphis  to  the  scene  of 
operations.  At  the  same  time  the  cavalry,  encamped  at 
Germantown,  were  ordered  to  mount  and  move  out.  A 
force  also  demonstrated  from  the  east. 

On  October  21st,  the  Union  forces  moving  eastward  from 
Corinth  met  with  resistance  near  Cherokee  Station,  eighty- 
nine  miles  from  Tuscumbia.  General  Osterhaus  was  in 
the  advance,  and  had  not  moved  far  when  he  encountered 
two  brigades  of  rebel  cavalry,  estimated  at  from  four  to 
six  thousand.  The  fight  lasted  an  hour,  when  the  rebels 
were  defeated. 

General  Sherman,  finding  that  to  advance  along  the  rail 
road  would  only  lead  to  continual  fighting  and  delay,  kept 
a  small  force  moving  by  that  direction,  while  he  marched 
the  main  body  north  of  the  Tennessee  River,  and  thus 
reached  Chattanooga  without  any  serious  opposition,  as 
the  rebels  had  concentrated  their  forces  to  resist  his  ad 
vance  by  the  route  south  of  that  stream. 

Meanwhile  General  Grant  moved  up  the  Mississippi 
River  to  Cairo,  and  as  he  did  so,  he  paid  a  short  visit  to  all 
the  military  posts  along  that  river.  He  telegraphed  his 
arrival  at  each  of  these  places  to  the  head-quarters  of  the 
General-in-Chief  at  Washington,  and  the  Secretary  of  War 
started  to  meet  him  on  the  route.  When  General  Grant 
arrived  at  Indianapolis,  he  found  that  a  telegram  was  there 
awaiting  him  at  the  depot,  requesting  him  to  delay  his 
further  journey  until  the  arrival  of  that  official.  It  was 
not  long  before  they  met,  and  as  soon  as  the  Secretary  of 
War  and  General  Grant  had  passed  the  usual  compliments 
between  gentlemen  on  their  first  personal  acquaintance, 
the  former  handed  the  latter  the  following  order: 


356  GENERAL  GRANT 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  ) 
WASHINGTON,  October  16,  1863.  j 

[General  Orders,  No.  337.] 

By  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  Departments 
of  the  Ohio,  of  the  Cumberland,  and  of  the  Tennessee,  will  constitute 
the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi.  Major-General  U.  S.  Grant, 
United  States  army,  is  placed  in  command  of  the  Military  Division  of 
the  Mississippi,  with  his  head-quarters  in  the  field. 

Major-General  W.  S.  Kosecrans,  U.  S.  Yols.,  is  relieved  from  the  com 
mand  of  the  Department  and  Army  of  the  Cumberland.     Major-General 
G.  H.  Thomas  is  hereby  assigned  to  that  command. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  "War. 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  A.  A.-G. 

The  party  then  proceeded,  with  their  special  attendants, 
to  Louisville,  where  their  arrival  created  intense  excite 
ment.  They  found  a  wondering  crowd  gathered  in  the 
hall  of  the  Gait  House  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  hero  of 
Vicksburg.  Numerous  were  the  exclamations  of  wonder 
as  General  Grant  made  his  appearance.  There  seemed  to 
have  been  an  impression  that  the  General  was  above  the 
ordinary  stature  of  men. 

"  I  thought  he  was  a  large  man,"  said  a  native.  "  He 
would  be  considered  a  small  chance  of  a  fighter  if  he  lived 
in  Kentucky." 

The  medium  sized  frame  of  the  General  formed  a 
strange  contrast  to  the  huge  figures  of  the  Kentuckians 
who  swarmed  to  behold  him. 

During  the  afternoon,  General  Grant  indulged  in  a  ride 
on  horseback  around  the  town.  He  was  still  unable  to 
walk  without  his  cane  and  crutch,  but  managed  to  ride 
quite  well.  Even  then,  in  his  feeble  condition,  it  would 
have  required  a  strong  effort  on  the  part  of  a  horse  to 
unseat  him. 

The  condition  of  the  region  of  country  over  which 
General  Grant  was  now  to  exercise  superintendence,  was 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  85 T 

such  as  to  require  immediate  action ;  and  notwithstand 
ing  his  crippled  condition,  he  at  once  assumed  his  new 
command,  announcing  the  same  in  the  following  simple 
order : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI,  | 
LOUISVILLE,  Ky.,  October  18,  1863.  j" 

[General  Orders,  No.  L] 

In  compliance  with.  General  Orders,  No.  337,  of  date  "Washington, 
D.  C.,  October  16th,  1863,  the  undersigned  hereby  assumes  command  of 
the  "  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi,  embracing  the  departments 
of  the  Ohio,  of  the  Cumberland,  and  of  the  Tennessee." 

The  head-quarters  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi  will  be 
in  the  field,  where  all  reports  and  returns  required  by  army  regulations 
and  existing  orders  will  be  made.  U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-  General. 

The  new  command  of  General  Grant  was  one  of  the 
most  stupendous  ever  held  by  a  General,  below  the  grade 
of  a  General-in-Chief,  in  this  or  any  other  nation.  It  cov 
ered  a  larger  area  and  controlled  a  greater  number  of 
troops  than  had  previously  been  massed  under  one  man. 
The  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi  embraced  the  cen 
tral  zone  of  operations,  and  the  nature  of  the  territory  be 
longing  thereto  rendered  it  absolutely  essential  that  one 
mind  should  direct  its  movements.  The  necessity  for 
proper  co-operation  alone  made  this  imperative. 

General  Grant  now  had  under  his  direction  four  of  the 
largest  armies  in  the  field.  His  own  army,  with  which  he 
won  the  victories  in  and  around  Vicksburg,  and  through 
out  Mississippi;  the  "Army  of  the  Cumberland;"  the 
"  Army  of  the  Ohio,"  and  General  Hooker's  Grand  Divi 
sion.  Under  him  were  a  perfect  galaxy  of  Marshals.  His 
army  commanders  were  Generals  Sherman,  Thomas,  Burn- 
side,  and  Hooker.  (General  Foster's  column  was  after 
wards  added.)  His  corps  commanders  were  as  follows : 

The  Fourth  Army  Corps,  General  Granger ;  the  Ninth 
Army  Corps,  General  Potter ;  the  Eleventh  Army  Corps, 


358  GENERAL   GRANT 

General  Howard ;  the  Twelfth  Army  Corps,  General  Slo- 
cum ;  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  General  Palmer ;  the 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  General  J.  A.  Logan ;  the  Six 
teenth  Army  Corps,  General  Huiibut ;  the  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  General  McPherson ;  and  the  Twenty-third 
Army  Corps,  General  Hanson. 

His  division  and  brigade  leaders  were  not  inferior, 
while  the  regiments  were  of  the  best  fighting  material  in 
the  world. 

The  country  embraced  within  the  limits  of  this  new 
command  included  the  States  of  Michigan,  Illinois,  Indi 
ana,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Northern 
Alabama  and  Northwestern  Georgia.  One  glance  at  the 
map  will  therefore  show  what  comprised  General  Grant's 
Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  opposing  forces  were  not  less  grand  in  their  consti 
tution.  General  Bragg's  army  embraced  his  own  veteran 
troops,  and  to  that  army  were  added  Longstreet's  and 
Hill's  Corps  from  the  Virginia  rebel  army.  General  Pem- 
berton's  army,  which  were  said  to  be  exchanged,  were 
with  Bragg.  Joe  Johnston  had  a  co-operating  force  of 
30,000  men,  in  addition  to  which  there  was  a  small  rebel 
force  in  Mississippi,  consisting  of  one  brigade  of  infantry 
at  Newton  Station,  on  the  Southern  Road,  and  a  cavalry 
division  of  from  5,000  to  6,000,  operating  between  Jack 
son  and  the  Big  Black,  under  General  S.  D.  Lee. 

The  rebels,  however,  began  to  dread  the  approaching 
campaign,  as  is  evident  from  the  following  extract  from 
one  of  their  newspapers,  published  in  Atlanta : 

The  Yankee  Army  of  the  Cumberland  holds  the  door  to  lower  East 
Tennessee,  and  this  door  we  must  leave  open.  *  *  *  If  we  continue  to 
gaze  listlessly  from  the  bold  knobs  of  Missionary  Ridge  upon  the  com 
fortable  barracks  of  the  Federals  below,  then  may  we  tremble  for  the 
next  campaign ;  for,  as  sure  as  there  is  any  surety  in  the  future,  tho 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  359 

spring  of  1864  must  see  us  far  from  the  borders  of  Georgia,  or  near  to 
the  verge  of  destruction.  Nail  it  to  your  door-posts,  men  of  the  South, 
and  refuse  to  be  deluded  into  any  other  belief !  Food  and  raiment  are 
our  needs.  We  must  have  them.  Kentucky  and  Middle  Tennessee  can- 
only  supply  them.  Better  give  up  the  seacoast,  better  give  up  the  Southwest, 
aye,  better  to  give  up  Richmond  without  a  struggle,  and  win  these,  than  lose 
the  golden  field,  whose  grain  and  wool  are  our  sole  hope.  The  enemy  has 
just  one  army  too  many  in  the  field  for  us.  We  must  crush  this  over 
plus  ;  we  must  gain  one  signal  Stonewall  Jackson  campaign.  Destiny 
points  to  the  very  place.  Be  Rosecrans  the  victim.  Defeat  him,  pul 
verize  him,  run  him  to  the  Ohio  River,  and  then  close  the  war  with  the 
next  summer.  And  how  ?  Nothing  easier.  The  bee  which  has  really 
stung  our  flank  so  long,  once  disposed  of,  our  triumphant  legions  have 
a  clear  road  before  them.  Fed  sumptuously  through  the  winter,  well 
shod  and  clad,  they  have  only  to  meet  a  dispirited  foe,  retake  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi,  secure  the  election  of  a  peace  democrat  to  the  Presi 
dency  in  the  fall,  and  arrange  the  terms  of  treaty  and  independence. 
These  results  can  be  accomplished  nowhere  else  than  in  this  depart 
ment.  The  Northwest  is  our  real  adversary.* 

The  readers  of  this  chapter  will  see  the  position  of  af 
fairs  when  General  Grant  assumed  his  new  command.  It 
must,  however,  not  be  forgotten  that  he  had  under  him  the 
troops  that  had  been  sorely  defeated  at  Chickamauga,  and 
were  at  that  time  shut  up  in  Chattanooga  by  a  besieging 
force  of  the  rebels.  The  enemy  believed  that  they  had  this 
force  securely  in  a  trap,  and  when  they  heard  of  the 
change  in  the  command  they  began  to  make  light  of  it. 
One  of  their  journalists  remarked  that  the  Union  authori 
ties  had  removed  a  hero  (Rosecrans),  and  placed  two  fools 
(Grant  and  Thomas)  in  command.  The  President  is  re 
ported  to  have  said,  that  "  if  one  fool  like  Grant  can  do  as 
much  work,  and  win  as  profitable  victories  as  he,  he  had 
no  objection  to  two  of  them,  as  they  would  surely  wipe 
out  the  rebellion." 

*  Chattanooga— Atlanta  Rebel,  Nov.  9th,  1863. 


360  GENERAL    GRANT 


CHAPTER  XLVH. 

ACTIVE    MOVEMENTS. LOOKOUT   VALLEY. 

GENERAL  GRANT  was  not  the  man  to  stand  idle  when 
there  was  work  to  be  done.  He,  therefore,  soon  left 
Louisville,  after  making  certain  necessary  arrangements 
for  co-operation  of  troops  from  Kentucky,  and  arrived  in 
Nashville  on  the  morning  of  October  21st.  He  was  during 
the  same  evening  introduced  to  the  people  of  Nashville, 
by  the  Military  Governor,  but  refused  to  make  any  speech 
to  them.  Having  made  certain  dispositions  of  his  forces 
in  this  vicinity,  to  secure  his  communications,  and  having 
ordered  the  re-gauging  of  the  railroads,  so  that  one  con 
tinuous  line  of  communication  should  exist  between  the 
Ohio  River  and  Chattanooga,  General  Grant  took  his  de 
parture  for  the  latter  place,  where  he  arrived  on  October 
23d. 

The  situation  of  affairs  at  this  time  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Chattanooga,  is  thus  described  by  a  correspondent : 

The  sad  position  of  affairs  is  in  nowise  changed  up  to  date.  I  trust 
that  every  warrior  in  this  army  is  alive  to  it ;  for  I  confess  I  do  not  see 
any  very  brilliant  prospects  for  continuing  alive  in  it  all  this  winter,  unless 
something  desperate  be  done.  "While  the  army  sits  here,  hungry,  chilly, 
watching  the  ''key  to  Tennessee,"  the  "good  dog"  Bragg  lies  over 
against  us,  licking  his  Chickamauga  sores  without  whine  or  growl.  He 
will  not  reply  to  our  occasional  shots  from  Star  Fort,  Fort  Crittenden,  or 
the  Moccasin  Point  batteries  across  the  river ;  has  forbidden  the  ex 
change  of  newspapers  and  the  compliments  of  the  day  between  pickets ; 
has  returned  surly  answers  to  flag  of  truce  messages ;  in  fact,  has  cut 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  361 

us  dead.  They  know  we  have  been,  and  are  being  largely  re-enforced, 
and  fear  a  flank  movement,  similar  to  that  which  gave  Rosecrans  pos 
session  of  Chattanooga.  This  is  a  synopsis  of  the  situation.  The  de 
tails,  so  far  as  relates  to  our  side  of  the  house,  about  which  I  am  only 
expected  to  know,  are  far  less  cheering. 

By  the  Anderson  road  (north  of  the  Tennessee),  from  Bridgeport  to 
Chattanooga  the  distance  is  something  like  sixty  miles,  and  since  the 
heavy  rains  of  the  past  week,  the  entire  route  is  dismal  beyond  execra 
tion.  Mules  stage  through  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  of  almost  un 
fathomable  mud,  toil  up  and  over  a  mountain — Walden's  Ridge — where 
a  single  misstep  would  insure  their  exit  from  life  over  a  frightful  pre 
cipice,  grinding  along,  over  enormous  boulders  and  jagged  rocks, 
through  more  mud,  to  the  muddy  banks  of  the  river  at  Chattanooga. 
A  thousand  pounds  of  provisions  or  forage  were  an  extraordinary  load 
for  the  best  of  six  mule  teams  on  their  trial  trips  over  this  route ;  but 
now  it  is  positive  inhumanity  to  ask  half  that  work  of  the  jaded,  half- 
starved  brutes.  Yet  all  the  supplies  must  come  by  this  route,  and  every 
animal  able  to  stagger  under  a  burthen,  must  be  kept  on  the  move. 
Trains,  once  the  pride  and  boast  of  proprietary  quartermasters,  have 
dwindled  away ;  wagon  after  wagon  worn  out,  or  destroyed  by  Wheeler's 
raiders,  till  the  transportation  of  the  army  is  not  half  what  it  was,  or  one- 
quarter  what  it  should  be ;  and,  unless  we  shall  be  able  to  navigate  the 
river  soon,  want  stares  us  in  the  face.  Half  rations  for  troops  will  suffice 
for  a  time;  quarter  rations,  now  darkly  hinted,  is  rather  "crowding  the 
mourners,"  the  troops  say.  A  very  patient  and  meek  mule  can  exist 
on  two  or  three  pounds  of  corn  per  day ;  but  wagon  boxes,  dry  leaves, 
and  woollen  blankets,  with  harness  for  relish,  are  not  conducive  to  mule 
health,  strength,  and  longevity.  Angular  skeletons  of  artillery  horses 
rattle  past  my  quarters  toward  the  Tennessee — Heaven  be  thanked 
there  is  plenty  of  water — while  I  write  this,  and  within  my  range  of 
vision,  up  and  down  the  mam  street,  are  numbers  of  weak  and  trem 
bling  horse  "  frames,"  glandered  and  starving,  staggering  about  in 
search  of  a  convenient  spot  to  die. 

The  mortality  among  these  innocents  is  frightful  to  contemplate. 
Their  corpses  line  the  road,  and  taint  the  air,  all  along  the  Bridgeport 
route.  In  these  days,  hereabouts,  it  is  within  the  scope  of  the  most 
obtuse  to  distinguish  a  quartermaster  or  staff  officer,  by  a  casual  glance 
at  the  animal  he  strides.  "  He  has  the  fatness  of  twenty  horses  upon 
his  ribs,"  as  Squeers  remarked  of  little  Wackford;  "and  so  he  has; 
God  help  the  others." 
16 


362  GENERAL   GRANT 

I  am  assured  this  state  of  things  will  not  last  long ;  that  hordes  of 
men  are  energetically  at  work  improving  our  means  of  communication, 
and  that  we  soon  shall  be  benefited  by  the  overflowing  plenty  of  ihe 
North.  The  vigor  and  good  spirits  of  the  army  all  this  time  are  de 
veloped  in  a  most  astonishing  manner. 

Major-General  Grant,  who  presides  over  the  destinies  of  this,  amongst 
other  armies,  reached  Chattanooga  to-day.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Quartermaster-General  Meigs,  and  Mr.  Dana,  of  the  War  Department, 
who  now  returns  after  a  short  absence.  They  have  come  back,  per 
haps,  to  witness  operations  at  the  front,  which  their  superior  knowledge 
of  the  situation  may  lead  them  to  expect.  If  I  should  write  what  I  know 
of  the  whereabouts  and  movements  of  the  troops,  above  and  below  us,  on 
the  Tennessee  River,  and  elsewhere,  all  aiming  at  that  grand  object,  the 
overthrow  of  "  this  accursed  rebellion,"  I  would,  no  doubt,  be  arrested  for 
dealing  in  contraband  news.  Luckily,  I  know  so  little  about  Burnside, 
General  Joe  Hooker,  and  the  rest,  that  it  requires  but  little  effort  to  keep 
my  pencil  quiet.  They  are  in  their  proper  places,  however.  General 
Grant  probably  knows  where  they  are,  and  what  they  are  doing ;  the 
enemy  will  find  out  when  the  thing  is  fully  developed.  One  of  Wheel 
er's  couriers  was  captured  the  other  day,  with  that  chieftain's  written 
reply  to  a  dispatch  from  General  Braxton  Bragg,  ordering  the  raider 
back  into  Middle  Tennessee.  Wheeler  said  it  was  utterly  impossible 
for  him  to  go  back,  on  account  of  his  impoverished  and  worn-out  con 
dition.  His  command  would  not  hold  together.  (He  said  nothing 
about  the  Union  troopers,  who  were  following  him  up  in  vast  force.) 
He  also  whined  considerably  about  the  difficulty  in  escaping  across  the 
Tennessee  to  the  South.  He  was  prevented,  he  said,  by  "Lee's  Fed 
eral  Jayhawkers."  How  Grant's  cavalry  could  bother  the  rebels  in 
Southern  Tennessee,  was  something  the  raider  couldn't  understand.* 

General  Grant  no  sooner  made  his  appearance  at  Chat 
tanooga,  than  a  change  was  at  once  set  about  in  the  situa 
tion  of  affairs.  He  had  left  directions  for  the  management 
of  the  raiders,  with  the  corps  and  district  commanders  out 
side  of  that  position,  and  he,  therefore,  was  at  liberty  to 
direct  his  personal  attention  to  the  re-opening  of  commu 
nications,  by  proper  routes,  with  his  depots  of  supplies. 

*  New  York  Herald  correspondence,  October  23d. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  363 

After  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  the  post  on  Lookout 
Mountain  was  abandoned  by  the  Union  troops,  and  was 
immediately  taken  possession  of  by  the  rebels.  From  this 
point  the  rebels  were  enabled  to  shell  the  supply  trains 
moving  along  the  valley  route  towards  Chattanooga  from 
Bridgeport.  From  this  cause  the  Union  troops  were  com 
pelled  to  take  their  supplies  along  the  mountain  roads,  de 
scribed  in  the  foregoing  correspondence.  - 

To  reopen  the  valley  route  was  General  Grant's  primary 
and  most  important  design.  He,  therefore,  while  at  Nash 
ville  communicated  his  plans  to  General  Hooker,  and  when 
he  arrived  at  Chattanooga,  he,  with  the  assistance  of  his 
chief-engineer,  Brigadier-General  W.  F.  Smith,  at  once  set 
about  the  work. 

The  following  correspondence  will  show  what  was 
accomplished  during  this  movement : 

CHATTANOOGA,  October  28, 1863. 

The  reoccupation  of  Lookout  and  the  reopening  of  the  "  Southern 
line"  to  Bridgeport  has  for  some  time  been  the  chief  aim  of  strategists 
in  this  department.  A  movement  of  Major- General  Hooker's  troops 
from  opposite  Bridgeport,  along  the  south  bank  of  the  Tennessee, 
through  Shellmound  and  Whiteside,  commenced  a  week  ago.*  A  large 
additional  force,  under  Major-General  Palmer — spared  from  the  army 
without  weakening  our  lines— joined  Hooker  on  the  march  up  Lookout 
Valley,  and  the  combined  forces  effected  a  junction  with  Brigadier-Gen 
eral  Hazen's  command  last  night,  near  the  foot  of  Lookout.  The  valley 
route  to  Bridgeport  is  now  ours,  and  I  am  led  to  believe  that  move 
ments  in  progress  will  give  us  possession  of  the  mountain  itself,  and 
perhaps  force  an  evacuation  by  Bragg's  whole  army  ere  many  weeks 
are  gone. 

I  am,  at  present,  unable  to  write  particularly  of  the  preliminary  move 
ments  by  the  forces  under  General  Hooker's  immediate  command;  but 
I  am  able  to  describe  the  hazardous  expedition  of  the  co-operating 
forces  from  this  end  of  the  line  with  all  the  accuracy  of  an  eye-witness. 
Fourteen  hundred  men  were,  on  Monday  night,  October  26th,  picked 

*  While  General  Grant  was  at  Nashville. 


364  GENERAL   GRANT 

from  Brigadier-General  "W.  B.  Hazen's  Brigade,  Fourth  Army  Corps,  and 
ordered  to  report  at  the  pontoon  bridge,  Chattanooga,  at  midnight. 
The  selection  of  General  Hazen  and  his  troops  for  the  expedition  was 
due  to  a  reputation  they  had  long  since  established  for  dash  and  daring, 
and  the  brilliant  result  proves  it  a  well-founded  one.  So  well  had  the 
secret  been  kept  that  not  one  of  the  fourteen  hundred  braves,  aside 
from  the  General  and  staff,  knew  where  they  were  going,  as  they  step 
ped  into  the  pontoon  boats  which  had  been  provided  for  them.  The 
expedition  filled  fifty-six  boats,  an  average  of  twenty-five  men  to  a 
Chattanooga  built  pontoon.  Soon  after  the  embarkation,  when  they  had 
floated  through  the  gap  in  the  bridge  arranged  for  their  passage,  the 
men  of  the  expedition  began  to  understand  their  situation  and  to  dis 
cover  the  object  of  their  midnight  excursion.  They  were  to  run  past 
the  rebel  batteries  and  sharpshooters  on  Lookout,  and  effect  a  landing 
at  Brown's  Ferry,  eight  miles  below,  by  the  river  line.  The  moon  was 
shining  bright,  but  occasionally  overcast  by  drifting  clouds,  and  it 
seemed  impossible  to  pass  the  frowning  batteries  of  Lookout  without 
discovery.  At  half-past  one  o'clock  the  advance  guard  boat,  reached 
Chattanooga  Creek,  three  miles  below  the  starting  point  and  the  extreme 
outpost  of  our  lines.  Here  a  halt  was  made  to  concentrate  the  forces, 
and  the  General's  watch  marked  half-past  two  before  the  final  start  was 
made.  Oars  were  now  discarded,  and,  hugging  to  the  right  bank,  creep 
ing  along  under  its  shadows,  the  boats  reached  the  front  of  Lookout 
Brave  men  held  their  breath,  every  eye  was  fixed  upon  the  mountain, 
and  not  a  muscle  moved  as  we  approached  the  dangerous  point.  Rebel 
camp  fires  could  be  seen  far  up  the  dark  mountain  side,  their  signal 
torches  working  slowly,  but  incessantly,  with  now  and  then  a  stave 
from  some  secession  air,  drowsily  sung  by  the  rebel  pickets.  Not  a  shot  or 
an  alarm  as  yet,  and  the  men  breathed  a  little  freer  as  the  mountain 
was  passed,  and  we  emerged  from  its  shadow  into  the  modified  dark 
ness  of  the  valley  below. 

The  force  was  now  divided,  the  First  Division,  comprising  half  the 
force,  landing  at  Brown's  Ferry,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  below 
Lookout.  A  rebel  cavalry  picket  was  surprised  here  and  fled,  closely 
pursued,  up  the  road,  after  exchanging  a  few  shots.  The  second  detach 
ment  landed  at  the  foot  of  a  ridge  bordering  the  river,  at  a  point  two 
miles  below  Brown's  Ferry.  The  ridge,  slippery  and  almost  inaccessi 
ble,  towered  three  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river ;  but  the 
brave  men  of  the  expedition,  under  the  wild  excitement  of  the  move 
ment  and  the  situation,  pushed  up  the  steep  declivity  almost  at  a  run 


AND    HIS  CAMPAIGNS. 

A  rebel  picket  post  on  the  crest  of  the  ridge  was  scattered  by  a  volley 
and  a  yell,  and  the  first  point  was  gained.  Two  days  before  four  rebel 
regiments  were  stationed  in  the  valley  behind  this  ridge,  at  the  foot  of 
Raccoon  Mountain,  and  an  attack  was  to  be  expected  from  them.  The 
sequel  proved  they  had  been  relieved  on  Monday,  and  the  force  now 
occupying  the  camp  consisted  of  two  strange  regiments,  with  three 
pieces  of  artillery.  This  force  moved  along  the  rear  of  the  ridge  and 
attacked  the  First  Division  of  the  expedition,  which  had  landed  at 
Brown's  Ferry.  Their  superior  numbers  forced  the  troops  back  to  the 
landing,  and  the  rebels  planted  guns  in  position  to  sweep  the  road  to 
the  ferry.  It  was  now  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  movements 
could  be  distinguished  in  the  gray  light  of  dawn.  The  cannonading  by 
the  rebel  battery  worked  no  damage.  Not  a  man  was  hurt.  General 
Hazen  threw  out  skirmishers,  and  a  brisk  fight  ensued.  The  attacking 
force  of  rebels  was  finally  driven  back  in  the  direction  of  Lookout 
Mountain  and  up  its  steep  sides,  while,  under  cover  of  a  battery  on 
the  Union  or  north  side  of  the  Tennessee.  Turchin's  Brigade,  under 
Brigadier-General  Smith,  Engineer  Corps,  crossed  on  pontoons  to  the 
support  of  .Hazen.  Being  now  firmly  established,  scouting  parties  wero 
sent  out,  and  the  country  once  more  passed  into  the  possession  of 
the  United  States.  The  rebels  from  a  battery  half  way  up  tho  mountain, 
kept  up  a  desultory  fire  till  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon.  Our  position 
was  secure,  and  camps  were  established  on  the  ridge.  A  foraging  party, 
on  an  excursion  into  the  country  thereabouts,  discovered  mines  of  for 
age,  which  was  particularly  acceptable  to  the  then  impoverished  Union 
troops.* 

The  operations  of  General  Hooker's  column  are  thus 
described  by  a  participant : 

IN  THE  FIELD,  LOOKOUT  VALLEY,  ) 
October  29,  18G3.  \ 

On  the  morning  of  October  26th,  we  left  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  by  crossing 
a  pontoon  at  that  place,  and  moving  forward  to  Shell  Mount.  The 
next  day  at  daylight  we  moved  forward  to  and  through  Lookout  Valley, 
at  a  point  adjacent  to  where  the  roads  fork— the  one  going  to,  and  being 
called  the  Chattanooga  road,  and  the  other  Brown's  Ferry. 

Here  the  enemy  made  a  short  stand,  but  was  soon  driven  from  this 
position.  The  enemy  was  posted  on  a  high  and  commanding  elevation. 

*  Chattanooga  correspondence  of  the  New  York  Herald. 


366  GENERAL   GRANT 

Our  troops  moved  forward,  in  line,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  hill,  and 
when  there  was  an  evidence  that  the  enemy  would  be  surrounded,  the 
latter  retreated,  in  double-quick  time,  and  fell  back  across  Lookout 
Creek,  where  he  was  supported  by  a  reserve  rebel  force. 

In  moving  along  the  enemy  appeared  upon  our  right,  on  the  Lookout 
Mountain  ridge — as  we  moved  parallel  to  it.  The  enemy  opened  upon 
our  forces,  moving  in  column,  from  Point  Lookout,  but  did  not  succeed 
in  checking  the  progress  of  the  troops.  The  rebel  signal  officers,  too, 
in  plain  sight,  but  far  above  us,  pursued  their  business,  and  seemed  to 
run  along  on  a  ridge,  signalling  with  a  view  to  attract  our  attention. 
This  signalling  continued  thus  for  several  miles,  and  until  our  forces 
got  fully  abreast  of  Point  Lookout,  &c.  It  must  have  been  exceedingly 
annoying  to  the  rebels  to  see  our  long  line  wind  its  way  in  and  out  of 
the  woods  and  on  the  road  unbroken  and  at  a  steady  march,  notwith 
standing  the  tire  from  his  high  posted  guns.  Of  course,  at  certain  times 
there  were  many  narrow  escapes.  Shells  constantly  burst  to  the  right 
and  left  of  the  road  (which  lies  almost  at  the  base  of  the  mountain),  but 
few  on  it.  The  orderly  passage  of  the  troops  under  this  fire  reflected 
much  credit  on  the  commanders  of  all  grades.  The  enemy  attempted 
to  destroy  our  trains,  but  signally  failed  even  in  this.  This  species  of 
shelling  was  continued  upon  our  line  for  several  hours,  and  even  until 
dark,  but  without  inflicting  any  injury  of  consequence.  So  close  at  one 
time  was  one  portion  the  Union  troops,  that  the  enemy  threw  percus 
sion  shells  by  hand  off  the  mountain,  and  they  exploded  almost  in  our 
midst. 

The  morning  of  the  28th  opened  with  a  clear,  bright,  beautiful  moon 
light,  the  scenery  on  every  side  traced  in  dark  sombre  on  the  back 
ground  of  the  sky.  High,  towering  mountains — the  Raccoon  Mountain 
on  one  side  and  the  Lookout  Mountain  on  the  other — and  the  valley 
diversified  by  open  fields  and  small  clumps  of  woods,  formed  a  curious 
picture.  On  Lookout  Mountain  bright  fires  burned,  and  told  us  too 
plainly  where  to  look  for  the  enemy  and  his  signal  officers.  Our  camp 
fires  burned  brightly,  and  our  line  lay  on  a  parallel  with  what  was  the 
enemy's  on  the  day  previous.  Two  divisions  were  encamped  on  the  left 
or  front  of  our  line.  Another  division,  General  Geary's,  was  in  bivouac, 
about  one  mile  and  a  half  from  the  other  two  divisions.  Between  the 
two  sections  of  the  command  the  enemy  held  a  position  on  the  Chatta 
nooga  road  proper,  as  also  on  the  railroad.  In  brief,  the  enemy  had  a 
force,  in  a  gap  between  the  base  of  the  point  of  Lookout  Mountain, 
along  th(*  river  on  the  flats  and  some  hill s,  partially  situated  hi  our  rear. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  367 

Suddenly  the  Union  troops  were  aroused  by  the  heavy  firing  in  the 
direction  of  General  Geary's  Division.  At  once  preparation  was  made 
for  a  general  engagement.  The  troops  were  soon  in  column,  and  the 
trains  and  ambulances  got  in  readiness  for  the  emergency.  As  they 
pressed  forward  on  the  road  to  join  General  Geary,  the  enemy  opened  a 
heavy  fire  of  musketry  from  a  high  hill  close  to  their  line  of  advance. 
At  once  our  commanding  generals  comprehended  the  state  of  affairs. 
The  enemy  had  intended  their  movement  to  be  a  surprise ;  and  one  with 
a  view  to  the  probable  surrounding  and  possible  capture  of  Geary's  force. 
From  prisoners  taken  during  the  fight  that  ensued,  we  learned  that  General 
Longstreet,  on  beholding  our  column  move  up  the  Lookout  Valley  toward 
Chattanooga,  quietly  massed  two  divisions  on  Lookout  Mountain,  and 
moved  them  up  to  and  across  Lookout  Creek,  with  a  view  to  the  carry 
ing  out  of  the  plan  of  his  surprise  movement.  About  eight  P.  M.  he 
moved  his  division  across  the  creek.  One  division  passed  on  to  the 
Chattanooga  road  and  occupied  two  hills  commanding  the  road,  on  a 
parallel,  leading  to  Brown's  Ferry.  The  other  division  passed  down 
the  railroad,  and  from  there  on  to  the  Chattanooga  road,  below  the  fork. 
The  rebels  had  intrenched  themselves  on  the  hill,  and  from  their  works 
had  opened  fire  upon  the  Union  command ;  but  this  did  not  delay  the 
advance  of  the  re-enforcements,  which  pushed  along  under  fire  through 
an  open  space  or  field  to  the  right  of  the  front  of  the  hills. 

While  this  command  was  pressing  forward,  a  second  division  was 
moved  up  on  the  road,  and  a  courier  sent  to  inform  General  Geary  of 
the  near  approach  of  assistance. 

An  order  was  now  given  to  take  the  hill,  and  the  second  division  was 
assigned  to  the  task.  The  advance  was  commenced  and  the  enemy 
poured  down  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry.  Slowly  the  men  went  up  the 
hill,  the  ascent  of  which  was  so  steep  that  it  was  as  much  as  a  man 
could  do  to  get  to  the  top  in  peaceful  tunes,  and  with  the  help  of  day 
light.  This  hill  was  covered  with  briar  bushes,  fallen  trees,  and  tangling 
masses  of  various  descriptions,  but  our  boys  pressed  forward  in  spite  of 
all  obstructions.  The  whole  division  at  last  gave  a  sudden  start  forward 
and  gained  the  crest  of  the  hill.  The  enemy's  line  wavered  and  broke, 
and  the  rebels  composing  it  went  down  the  other  side  of  the  hill  with 
broken,  flying,  and  disordered  ranks.  On  gaining  the  crest  our  men 
found  that  they  had  not  only  driven  the  enemy  off,  but  had  taken  some 
tolerably  well-constructed  earthworks,  behind  which  the  rebels  had 
posted  themselves.  It  was  then  ascertained,  too,  that  the  hill  had  been 
occupied  by  about  two  thousand  rebels.  The  success  and  the  gallantry 


368  GENERAL   GKANT 

with  which  the  height  was  taken  elicited  general  commendation  to  the 
skill  and  bravery  of  the  troops  and  their  commanding  officers. 

Soon  after  this  a  detachment  from  another  division  took  the  next  hill 
to  the  right  without  much  resistance. 

The  enemy  continued  a  scattering  fire  for  some  time  after  the  hills 
were  taken,  but  finally  ceased  troubling  us. 

In  the  mean  time,  General  Geary  had  bravely  resisted  the  rebel  attack, 
and  after  two  hours'  hard  fighting  the  enemy  retreated,  without  making 
Geary's  line  to  waver  or  fall  back  a  foot.  Almost  every  horse  in  one 
section  of  artillery  was  shot  dead.  The  enemy  retired  across  the  rail 
road,  and  from  there  to  the  other  side  of  the  creek.* 

The  success  of  this  movement  of  General  Grant's  forces 
was  very  annoying  to  the  rebels,  as  may  be  judged  from  the 
following  extract  from  one  of  their  journals  : 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  at  Chattanooga  are  still  uncertain, 
Whether  the  occupation  of  Lookout  Mountain  indicates  an  advance,  or 
is,  like  the  last  crossing  of  the  Rappahannock  at  Fredericksburg  by 
Sedgwick's  Corps,  merely  a  feint  to  cover  a  retreat,  has  not  yet  trans 
pired  ;  but  when  considered  in  connection  with  the  reported  retreat 
from  London,  and  its  occupation  by  our  forces,  we  are  inclined  to 
believe  that  Grant  is  preparing  a  "  change  of  base"  from  East  Tennes 
see  to  some  point  more  accessible  for  supplies.  This  supposition  be 
comes  more  probable  wben  it  is  remembered  that  from  Lookout  Valley 
to  Bridgeport  his-  retreat  could  be  more  expeditiously  made  than  from 
Chattanooga. 

But  whether  for  advance  or  retreat  this  occupation  of  Lookout  Yalley 
is  of  importance.  If  for  the  former,  it  demonstrates  that  the  enemy  have 
recovered  from  their  defeat  at  Chick  iimauga,  and  taken  the  initiative,  al 
ways  one  of  importance  in  military  movements.  It  may  be  useless  to 
inquire  why  the  enemy  were  permitted  to  regain  strength,  morale,  and 
organization,  and  begin  offensive  movements,  in  the  immediate  front, 
under  the  very  nose  of  General  Bragg.  The  vanquished,  flying  enemy, 
whom  General  Bragg  reported  to  be  "  pursued  by  our  cavalry,"  have 
turned  upon  the  pursuers  and  have  occupied  a  threatening  position  upon 
the  flank  of  the  victors.  The  enemy  we  re 'outfought  at  Chickamauga, 
thanks  to  the  army,  but  the  present  position  of  affairs  looks  as  though 

*  New  York  Herald  correspondence. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  369 

we  had  been  outgeneraled  at  Chattanooga.  We  hope  these,  our  appre 
hensions,  may  turn  out  groundless,  and  that  the  strategy  of  General 
Bragg  may  prove  equal  to  the  prowess  and  gallantry  of  his  army ;  but 
we  must  confess  that  the  country  will  be  as  much  surprised  as  pleased 
should  success  attend  our  arms  at  Chattanooga. 

If  the  occupation  of  Lookout  Valley  by  the  enemy  has  been  made  to 
cover  a  retreat,  an  opportunity  for  energy,  strategy,  and  perseverance, 
will  be  afforded  General  Bragg,  which  if  promptly  embraced  and  efficiently 
pursued,  will  do  much  to  reinstate  him  in  the  confidence  of  the  army 
and  the  country.  As  the  risk  is  to  be  taken  under  General  Bragg,  we 
hope  that  every  officer  and  private  will  exert  his  utmost  endeavors  to  aid 
the  General  in  overwhelming  the  enemy. 

Whether  General  Grant  intend*  to  advance  or  is  preparing  to  retreat  from 
Chattanooga,  he  must  be  defeated  either  on  the  south  side  of  tlie  Tennessee  or 
on  his  retreat  to  Nashville.  The  approaching  winter  warns  both  armies 
that  their  present  positions  may  be  their  mutual  destruction,  and  the  spring 
of  1864  open  on  the  wasted  and  ruined  remnants  of  both. 

The  railroad  from  "  Bridgeport  to  Jaspar,"  if  not  as  unreal  and  unsub 
stantial  as  the  taking  of  Lookout  Mountain  by  the  enemy,  may  solve  tho 
difficulty  of  Grant  remaining  in  Chattanooga  for  the  winter. 

Thus,  from  the  contradictory  and  unreconcilable  reports  of  move 
ments,  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  any  thing  definite  and  certain  as  re 
gards  the  situation  at  Chattanooga.  Our  readers  must  exercise  patience 
and  hope  for  the  best.* 

General  Grant  had,  however,  no  intention  of  retreating. 

About  this  time  the  rebel  President  paid  a  visit  to 
Bragg's  army,  to  ascertain  the  true  condition  of  affairs, 
and  it  is  reported  that  the  following  scene  occurred  on  the 
summit  of  Lookout  Moutain : 

Looking  down  one  bright  day  from  the  lofty  eminence 
commanding  a  clear  view  into  four  States,  and  a  very  dis 
tant  view  into  a  fifth,  Davis  saw  Grant's  army  almost  be 
neath  his  feet,  across  the  valley,  working  like  beavers  on 
their  fortifications. 

"  I  have  them  now,"  said  he,  "  in  just  the  trap  I  set  for 
them." 

*  Richmond  Enquirer,  November  6th,  1863. 
16* 


370  GENERAL   GKANT 

To  which  Lieutenant-General  Pemberton,  who  was  sit 
ting  on  horseback  beside  him,  replied,  "  Mr.  Davis,  you 
are  Commander-in-Chief,  and  you  are  here.  You  think 
the  enemy  are  in  a  trap,  and  can  be  captured  by  vigorous 
assault.  I  have  been  blamed  for  not  having  ordered  a 
general  attack  on  the  enemy  when  they  were  drawing 
around  me  their  lines  of  circumvallation  at  Vicksburg.  Do 
you  now  order  an  attack  upon  those  troops  down  there  be 
low  us,  and  I  will  set  you  my  life  that  not  one  G — d  d — d 
man  of  the  attacking  column  will  ever  come  back  across 
that  valley,  except  as  a  prisoner.'* 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  371 


CHAPTER  XLVIH. 

LONGSTREET'S  ADVANCE  UPON  KNOXVILLE. 

THE  brilliant  success  of  these  operations  relieved  Chat 
tanooga  of  the  prospective  danger  of  starvation,  and  Gene 
ral  Grant  found  time  to  prepare  for  his  movements  upon 
the  enemy  in  his  front.  Stores  of  all  kinds  began  to  make 
their  way  into  storehouse,  and  daily  parades  and  drills 
took  place  in  front  of  the  works,  within  view  of  the  rebel 
pickets  and  sentries.  Every  thing  had  settled  down  into 
its  quiet  routine,  and  even  the  generals  appeared  at  their 
ease.  A  private  letter  from  a  resident  of  Chattanooga 
had  the  following  paragraph  descriptive  of  this  serenity : 

General  Grant,  who  has  almost  recovered  his  strength,  occupies  a  de 
lightful  Chattanooga  residence,  and,  with  his  briarwood  pipe,  walks  to  and 
fro  up  the  streets  of  the  town,  unattended,  many  times  unobserved,  but  at  all 
times  observing.  Quartermaster- General  Meigs  has  taken  to  a  wall  tent, 
from  a  regard  for  the  fitness  of  things.  His  head-quarters  are  in  the 
field,  and  soldiers  in  the  field  inhabit  tents.  Generals  Thomas  and  Gordon 
Granger  are  workers,  and  are  preparing  their  grand  machine  for  the 
next  campaign,  their  consultations  often  extending  far  into  the  night. 

But  in  the  midst  of  this  quiet  lay  a  slumbering  volcano. 

General  Grant  had  determined  he  would  have  no  ene 
mies  around  him  to  report  his  movements  to  the  rebels  or 
to  interfere  with  his  plans  ;  therefore,  previous  to  his 
making  any  advance  upon  the  rebel  positions,  he  issued 
the  following  order : 


372  GENERAL  GRANT 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI,  ) 
IN  THE  FIELD,  CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  Nov.  5,  1863.       f 
[General  Orders,  No.  4.] 

The  habit  of  raiding  parties  of  rebel  cavalry  visiting  towns,  villages, 
and  farms  where  there  are  no  Federal  forces,  and  pillaging  Union  fami 
lies,  having  become  prevalent,  department  commanders  will  take  im 
mediate  steps  to  stop  the  evil,  or  make  the  loss  by  such  raids  fall  upon 
secessionists  and  secession  sympathizers  in  the  neighborhood  where 
such  acts  are  committed.  For  every  act  of  violence  to  the  person  of  an 
unarmed  Union  citizen,  a  secessionist  will  be  arrested  and  held  as  hostage 
for  the  delivery  of  the  offender.  For  every  dollar's  worth  of  property 
taken  from  such  citizens,  or  destroyed  by  raiders,  an  assessment  will 
be  made  upon  secessionists  of  the  neighborhood,  and  collected  by  the 
nearest  military  forces,  under  the  supervision  of  the  commander  thereof, 
and  the  amount  thus  collected  paid  over  to  the  sufferers.  When  such 
assessments  cannot  be  collected  in  money,  property  useful  to  the 
government  may  be  taken  at  a  fair  valuation,  and  the  amount  paid  in 
money  by  a  disbursing  officer  of  the  government,  who  will  take  such 
property  upon  his  returns.  Wealthy  secession  citizens  will  be  assessed 
in  money  and  provisions  for  the  support  of  Union  refugees  who  havo 
been  and  may  be  driven  from  their  homes  and  into  our  lines  by  the  acts 
of  those  with  whom  secession  citizens  are  in  sympathy.  All  collections 
and  payments  under  this  order  will  be  through  disbursing  officers  of  the 
government,  whose  accounts  must  show  all  money  and  property  received 
under  it,  and  how  disposed  of. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  A.  A.-G. 

This  order  he  carried  out  to  the  letter  when  the  oppor 
tunity  offered. 

About  the  middle  of  November  the  head  of  General  Sher 
man's  column  arrived  at  Chattanooga  and  formed  a  junc 
tion  with  the  forces  under  General  Thomas,  on  the  right 
of  the  main  army. 

Shortly  before  the  time  that  General  Sherman  joined  Gene 
ral  Grant,  the  rebel  General  Longstreet  made  several  at 
tempts  to  flank  the  Union  position  several  miles  to  the  east 
ward  of  Chattanooga,  with  the  intention  of  advancing  into 
Tennessee  and  capturing  Knoxville.  The  advanced  forces  of 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  373 

the  Army  of  Eastern  Tennessee  had  heretofore  resisted  Long- 
street's  movement  at  the  crossing  of  the  Little  Tennessee 
River ;  but  after  General  Burnside  had  communicated  with 
General  Grant,  Longstreet  was  allowed  to  advance  upon 
Knoxville,  the  Union  troops  impeding  his  march  as  much 
as  possible,  and  drawing  him  on  with  a  show  of  resistance. 
The  feint  was  well  planned  and  finely  carried  out. 

On  the  14th  of  November, General  Longstreet,  after  cross 
ing  the  Little  Tennessee  River,  was  attacked  by  a  force 
of  General  Burnside's  Union  troops,  who  drove  the  rebel 
advance  guard  back  upon  their  reserves,  which  were  sta 
tioned  at  about  a  mile  north  of  the  river  bank.  The  Union 
troops  then  retreated,  while  the  rebels  crossed  their  whole 
force  and  moved  toward  Marysville.  The  Unionists  then 
fell  back  upon  Lenoir,  as  if  to  hold  the  railroad  at  that 
place.  Three  times  the  rebels  assaulted  that  position  on 
November  15th  without  success;  but  the  next  morning 
the  Union  troops  evacuated  it  and  retreated  to  Campbell's 
Station.  Here  they  again  made  a  stand,  and  a  fight  ensued 
lasting  from  before  noon  until  dark.  This  detention  of 
the  rebels  enabled  the  Unionists  to  secure  their  trains,  which 
they  sent  within  the  defences  of  Knoxville.  The  Union 
troops  once  more  fell  back,  stopped  and  repeated  their 
resistance  to  the  enemy,  and  after  a  fight  again  retreated  in 
good  order,  until,  on  the  19th  of  November,  Longstreet' s 
rebel  forces  were  before  the  city  of  Knoxville,  which  they 
began  to  invest — the  Union  troops  being  all  safely  within 
the  defences. 

General  Grant  was  duly  advised  of  the  position  of  affairs, 
and  with  his  "  we  have  them  now  where  we  want  them," 
he  prepared  to  move  on  the  enemy's  works. 

A  plan  had  been  made,  by  the  commanding  General,  to 
raise  the  siege  of  Chattanooga  and  get  possession  of  Look 
out  Mountain.  This  plan  was  submitted  to  his  general 


374  GENERAL    GRANT 

officers  by  the  General  himself,  and  finally  adopted.  An 
examination  of  the  enemy's  line  showed  clearly  that  he  had 
deliberately  exposed  himself  to  great  danger.  He  had  al 
lowed  a  large  portion  oi  his  army  to  go  into  East  Tennes 
see,  and  he  extended  the  remainder  of  his  forces  into  lines 
almost  as  thin  as  a  spider's  thread.  His  exterior  line  upon 
Mission  Ridge  was  something  near  seven  miles  in  extent, 
while  his  inner  lines  of  rifle  pits  and  similar  defences  run 
ning  through  the  valleys  were  not  less  than  five  miles  long. 
There  were  upon  the  line  two  points  of  importance  to  him ; 
the  first,  Missionary  Ridge,  being  the  key  to  his  position, 
and  Lookout  Mountain,  an  elevation  valuable  to  Bragg  as  a 
barrier  to  the  purposes  of  the  Union  troops.  It  was  sup 
posed  the  enemy  would  defend  the  former  with  vigor,  as 
the  latter  could  be  held  by  a  small  force.  General  Grant 
was  of  the  opinion,  that  by  attacking  his  flanks  vigorously, 
in  order  to  force  him  to  keep  his  line  lengthened,  and 
thus  weakened,  it  would  afford  the  Union  troops  a  favor 
able  opportunity  to  test  the  strength  of  the  centre.  It 
was  therefore  decided  that  General  Sherman,  with  three 
divisions  of  his  own  army,  and  General  Davis,  of  Palmer's 
Corps,  should  move  north  of  the  river,  to  a  point  oppo 
site  the  mouth  of  the  Chickamauga,  and  at  an  early  hour 
on  the  following  morning  throw  a  pontoon  bridge  across 
the  Tennessee,  and,  under  cover  of  artillery,  cross  and 
carry  the  heights  of  Missionary  Ridge  as  far,  at  least,  as 
Tunnel  Hill.  On  the  left  rebel  flank,  General  Hooker  was  to 
operate  with  three  divisions,  his  primary  object  being  to  hold 
the  rebels  there,  but  authorized,  in  case  of  an  opportunity 
presenting  itself,  to  take  poser  sion  of  Lookout  Mountain.  In 
the  centre,  General  Thomas  was  ordered  to  hold  Granger 
and  Palmer's  Corps  well  in  hand,  to  await  an  opportunity  to 
strike  at  the  centre,  whenever  in  the  opinion  of  General  Grant 
the  auspicious  moment  presented  itself.  General  O.  O.  How- 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  3*76 

ard's  Corps  was  to  be  moved  to  the  north  side  of  the  river, 
so  as  to  aid  either  Sherman  or  the  centre.  But  subsequently, 
at  the  suggestion  of  General  Thomas,  Howard  was  crossed 
into  Chattanooga,  and  held  as  a  movable  column  in  reserve. 
Such  was  the  general  plan  of  operations,  subject,  of  course, 
to  such  modifications  as  the  movements  of  the  enemy  might 
necessitate. 

This  plan  was  to  have  been  put  in  execution  on  Saturday, 
November  21st,  almost  immediately  after  General  Grant 
had  ascertained  that  Longstreet  was  before  Knoxville ;  but 
General  Sherman  failed  to  get  into  position  on  Friday,  his 
delay  being  caused  by  heavy  rains  and  the  partial  destruc 
tion  of  the  pontoon  bridges  by  rafts  floated  down  the  river 
by  the  rebels.  Indeed,  he  was  prevented  from  getting  up 
until  the  night  of  Monday,  and  only  reported  himself  ready 
for  his  work  on  Tuesday  morning.  On  Monday,  however, 
a  trivial  circumstance  brought  about  a  development  of 
interest,  and  which,  without  changing  the  plan  in  the  least, 
rather  advanced  it  and  increased  the  chances  of  success. 


376  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

THE   BATTLES  BEFORE  CHATTANOOGA. FIRST   DAT. 

SHORTLY  before  noon  on  the  morning  of  Monday,  No 
vember  23d,  1863,  the  order  for  the  preliminary  advance  of 
General  Grant's  forces  was  promulgated  at  head-quarters, 
and  the  troops  advanced  as  if  on  parade.  The  rebels  pass 
ively  watched  the  movements  of  the  Union  forces  under  the 
impression  that  they  were  engaged  in  a  review,  and  they 
were  not  undeceived  until  it  was  too  late  to  remedy  the 
evil.  The  battles  occupied  several  days  and  resulted  in  a 
complete  victory  for  the  Union  forces. 

The  details  of  this  important  contest  are  thus  given  by 
one  who  witnessed  the  whole  action : 

Reports  had  come  in  during  the  morning  of  Monday  that  the  enemy 
was  evacuating  the  ridge  in  our  front.  On  examination  it  was  found  that 
they  were  engaged  in  some  kind  of  movement,  and  about  noon  General 
Thomas  determined  upon  a  reconnoissance  to  learn  the  meaning  of  his 
manoeuvres,  and  also  for  developing  his  right,  it  being  a  matter  of  con 
siderable  interest,  in  view  of  Sherman's  movements,  to  know  how 
strongly  Bragg  was  posted  on  the  ridge  about  the  tunnel.  General 
Wood's  Division  was  selected  to  make  the  reconnoissance,  and  at  one 
o'clock  he  had  moved  his  three  brigades  into  line  in  an  open  field  east  of 
the  city,  and  immediately  under  the  siege  guns  of  Fort  Wood.  General 
Howard's  Corps  having  crossed  the  river  from  Lookout  Valley,  deployed 
into  line  as  a  reserve,  while  General  Sheridan,  of  Granger's  Corps,  and 
the  troops  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  General  Palmer,  were  drawn  up  in 
line  in  case  of  a  necessity  arising  for  them.  General  Palmer  also 
showed  himself  threateningly  down  the  valley  of  Chattanooga  Creek, 
making  his  advance  well  beyond  Dobb'a  house.  Wood's  route,  as 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS  377 

chosen,  was  to  be  to  the  left  of  the  road  to  Blackford's  house  on  Mis 
sion  Ridge ;  but  the  force  headed  for  two  prominent  hills  a  little  to  the 
north  of  this  road,  and  the  right  hardly  rested  on  the  Blackford  road 
when  the  day  was  over. 

I  have  mentioned  two  prominent  peaks  or  hills  in  Wood's  front. 
These  are  exactly  one  mile  from  Fort  Wood,  and  lie  west  of  Citico  Creek, 
a  little  stream  running  between  this  small  ridge  and  Mission  Ridge. 
The  principal  of  these  peaks  is  called  by  the  citizens  "Orchard  Knob," 
and  the  rebels  had  used  it  as  a  redoubt  in  their  outer  line.  The  ap 
proach  to  it  was  down  and  across  an  open  slope  from  Fort  Wood  and 
then  across  a  heavily-wooded  plain.  General  Wood  began  his  move 
ment  down  this  slope,  and  across  this  plain  at  half-past  one  p.  M.  At 
the  moment  Wood  began  to  move,  General  Granger  ordered  the  siege 
guns  in  Fort  Wood  to  open  on  the  enemy's  first  position,  ana  immedi 
ately  the  black  monsters  bellowed  a  hoarse  challenge  to  the  enemy 
who  now  began  to  appear  on  Missionary  Ridge  in  quite  a  strong  force, 
as  also  in  the  valley  below  and  toward  us.  Wood  moved  forward  in 
admirable  style,  his  skirmishers  driving  in  the  strong  picket  line  of  the 
enemy  with  ease.  Through  the  open  field  the  line  moved  unwaver 
ingly,  and  not  with  undue  haste,  as  if  seeking  to  gain  the  cover  of  the 
woods  in  their  front,  but  in  the  style  of  veterans  proud  of  their  leader ; 
and,  knowing  that  from  the  ramparts  of  Fort  Wood  they  were  watched  by 
Generals  Grant,  TJiomas,  Granger,  and  Howard,  each  seemed  to  feel  that 
he  was  part  of  a  scene  which,  even  in  this  warlike  age,  has  been  seldom 
witnessed.  There  was  no  straggling.  There  were  none  who  seemed  so 
poor  and  spiritless  as  to  straggle  in  the  presence  of  men  who  had  led  at 
Vicksburg  and  Chickamauga,  or  of  troops  that  had  stood  at  Gettysburg. 
So,  when  they  disappeared  in  the  woods  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill,  and 
their  position  became  revealed  only  by  the  smoke  of  battle,  which  rose 
above  the  tree  tops  and  drifted  away  toward  Mission  Ridge,  a  general 
buzz  of  admiration  went  up  from  the  spectators  in  the  fort,  and  extended 
to  the  more  distinguished  heroes  of  Vicksburg  and  Chickamauga.  On 
entering  the  woods  the  advancing  line  became  quite  warmly  engaged, 
and  at  a  quarter  of  two  o'clock  a  very  brisk  musketry  fire  enveloped  the 
whole  of  Wood's  front.  The  enemy  was  found  posted  behind  rather 
rude  but  good  rifle-pits,  and  in  strong  force.  But,  though  they  got  in 
upon  Wood  a  heavy  and  quite  destructive  fire,  it  did  not  for  a  moment 
halt  him.  On  reaching  the  foot  of  Orchard  Knob  he  ordered  a  charge, 
and  with  a  cheer  the  men  went  at  it,  pushed  up  the  Knob  in  admirable 
order,  while  the  rest  took  the  rifle-pits,  driving  the  enemy  out  in  confusioni 


378  GENERAL   GKANT 

and  securing  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  and  nine  officers  of  an  Alabama 
regiment.  Another  force  gallantly  assaulted  aud  carried  the  ridge  to 
the  right  of  Orchard  Knob,  driving  the  rebels  from  their  pits  on  the 
summit. 

Although  now  far  advanced  toward  the  enemy's  line  of  works  OIL  the 
ridge,  General  Wood  found  his  flanks  entirely  unmolested.  He  discov 
ered  the  position  taken  to  be  a  very  strong  one,  easily  held,  in  short 
cannon  range  of  the  enemy 'scamps  along  Citico  Creek,  and  within  reach 
of  the  heavy  line  established  by  them  on  the  summit  of  Mission  Ridge ; 
and  finding,  after  some  time,  that  the  enemy  remained  quiet,  Wood  re 
ported  the  fact  to  General  Granger,  who,  on  orders  from  General 
Thomas,  instructed  Wood  to  intrench  himself,  and  at  the  same  time  sent 
word  he  would  protect  his  flanks. 

In  order  to  support  Wood  in  this  situation,  General  Thomas  ordered 
General  Howard,  with  his  two  divisions,  to  move  from  his  position  as 
reserve  behind  Wood,  and  to  go  into  line  on  Citico  Creek,  closing  his 
right  well  upon  Wood's  left,  and  retiring  the  left  of  the  corps.  He  got 
into  position  without  much  fighting,  other  than  some  pretty  heavy  skir 
mish  ing  with  a  small  force  of  rebels  in  a  second  line  of  rifle-pits  beyond 
Citico  Creek.  Approaching  these  pits  in  front,  General  Howard  found 
their  occupants  prepared,  and  disposed  to  make  a  strong  resistance.  In 
order  to  avoid  a  bloody  affair,  General  Granger  sent  a  brigade,  of 
Wood's  Division,  hitherto  in  reserve,  through  some  woods  to  the  right 
of  the  rebel  works.  The  enemy,  finding  himself  thus  flanked,  and  at 
the  same  time  heavily  pressed  by  Howard,  hastily  fled  to  the  stronger 
position  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 

Simultaneously  with  Howard's  movement  General  Sheridan's  Division 
— Granger's  Corps — was  moved  forward  to  support  Wood's  right,  and 
went  into  position  in  echelon  on  the  left  without  any  fighting.  The 
enemy,  finding  that  our  men  were  intrenching  themselves  on  Orchard 
Knob,  began  about  five  o'clock  a  vigorous  shelling  of  that  point.  Al 
though  this  was  kept  up  from  three  batteries  until  darkness  had  set  in, 
no  damage  was  done. 

During  the  night  the  position  taken  by  Wood  and  the  forces  which 
came  up  to  support  him,  right  and  left,  was  materially  strengthened  by 
building  rough  rifle-pits  a  few  yards  in  front  of  those  of  the  rebels 
which  had -been  taken.  A  battery  was  moved  forward  from  Fort  Wood 
and  posted  on  Orchard  Knob,  where  it  remained  during  the  rest  of  the 
operations.  There  may  have  been  other  batteries  on  the  front  line  at 
this  tune,  but  if  so  I  did  not  see  them.  I  may  as  well  mention  here 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  379 

that  the  heavy  guns  of  Fort  Wood  took  part  in  the  three  days'  opera 
tions,  throwing  heavy  shells  upon  Mission  Ridge  with  great  accuracy. 

General  Palmer  moved  during  the  night  a  portion  of  his  corps  to  the 
left  of  his  position  during  the  day,  and  stood  ready  at  dawn  to  continue 
his  demonstrations  down  Chattanooga  Valley,  or  to  aid  the  left  centre, 
under  Granger,  in  an  assault  on  the  ridge.  No  dispositon  appeared  on 
Palmer's  part  to  force  a  pathway  down  the  valley,  as  this  would  have 
broken  the  rebel  line  to  no  purpose,  as  they  could  well  afford  to  retire 
from  the  valley  entirely  in  order  to  hold  Mission  Ridge.  The  aim  of  Gen 
eral  Grant  appears  to  have  been  to  weaken  the  rebel  centre  on  Mission 
Ridge,  in  order  that  he  might  at  once  take  the  ridge  and  break  their 
army  in  two. 

Night  found  the  situation  very  slightly  altered,  save  in  the  centre, 
where  we  had  assumed  a  strong  position  and  threatening  attitude.  But 
the  rebels  did  not  appear  to  be  much  troubled  at  this.  They  rather 
apprehended  the  movement  of  Sherman,  which  it  was  evident  they  had 
suspected.  During  the  last  hours  of  the  afternoon  it  was  seen  from 
Orchard  Knob  that  a  long  column  of  rebels  was  moving  to  the  north,  and 
disappearing  about  the  more  formidable  hills  at  the  tunnel  or  north  end 
of  Mission  Ridge.  It  was  evident  that  Bragg  had  an  inkling  of  Sherman's 
purpose  to  cross  on  the  ensuing  morning  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  and 
was  massing  against  him ;  but  whether  to  oppose  his  crossing  or  to  hold 
the  hill  remained  at  that  time  a  matter  of  doubt.  The  enemy  in  front 
of  Wood  allowed  that  enterprising  officer  to  rest  in  peace  during  the 
night.* 

*  Mr.  W.  F.  G-.  Shanks's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald. 


J380  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER    L. 

THE   SECOND   DAY. LOOKOUT   MOUNTAIN. 

THE  second  day's  operations  are  thus  described  by  the 
same  correspondent : 

Tuesday  morning,  November  24th,  was  gloomy,  threatening  rain,  and 
until  quite  late  our  forces  remained  inactive.  On  the  centre  Granger's 
and  Palmer's  Corps  maintained  the  silence  of  the  night  just  past,  and 
only  a  few  guns  from  Fort  Wood  disturbed  the  rebel  centre.  The  day 
was  chosen  for  operations  on  the  flanks,  and  for  that  purpose  Hooker 
and  Sherman  began  to  move  quite  early. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  General  Howard's  Corps  (the  Eleventh) 
had  crossed  the  river  and  gone  into  camp  in  Chattanooga  on  Sunday. 
On  MOB  day  he  was  held  in  reserve,  and  went  in  late  in  the  day  to  sup 
port  General  Wood's  left.  On  Tuesday  morning  his  corps  was  selected 
by  General  Grant  to  open  communications  by  the  east  side  of  the  Ten 
nessee  River  with  General  Sherman.  It  was  about  ten  o'clock  when  one 
of  his  divisions  crossed  Citico  Creek,  near  its  mouth,  and  began  pushing 
northward  in  search  of  General  Sherman.  Finding  the  centre  destined 
to  remain  quiet,  I  pushed  towards  the  left,  and  found  General  Howard. 
The  whole  of  the  valley  between  Mission  Ridge  and  the  Tennessee  River, 
and  between  Citico  and  Chickamauga  Creeks,  is  one  vast  corn-field. 
Through  this  lay  the  course  of  General  Howard. 

Learning  that  General  Sherman's  position  was  not  over  two  miles  and 
a  half  distant,  General  Howard  sent  one  of  his  staff  on  the  dangerous 
mission  of  trying  to  find  General  Sherman  alone.  The  skirmishers  were 
thrown  forward  until  the  line  became  dangerously  extended,  and  none 
of  General  Sherman's  troops  were  found.  The  staff  officer  departed  on 
his  mission  of  danger;  but  by  keeping  close  to  the  river  succeeded  in 
crossing  and  recrossing  the  gap  without  being  captured.  General 
Howard,  on  receiving  his  report,  ordered  the  division  to  push  further  to 
the  left,  and  started  out  to  seek  General  Sherman.  I  pursued  the  same 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  381 

route  and  soon  found  General  Sherman's  troops,  and  was  standing  on 
the  unfinished  pontoon  bridge  which  General  Sherman  was  building, 
when  General  Howard  came  up.  The  last  boat  of  the  bridge  was  being 
placed  in  the  centre  of  the  stream  as  .General  Howard  arrived,  and  intro 
duced  himself  across  the  slight  gulf  between  the  two.  At  the  moment 
of  its  occurrence  this  was  a  meeting  of  considerable  interest  to  me,  but 
coming  to  write  about  it  I  find  I  cannot  get  up  the  same  amount  of  en 
thusiasm  that  I  then  felt  at  the  reflection  of  these  two  men,  representing 
the  extreme  armies  of  the  country,  meeting  thus  upon  the  same  field. 
Sherman,  on  the  north  end  of  the  bridge,  dressed  loosely,  with  a  worn 
gum  overcoat  thrown  around  him,  was  directing  the  completion  of  the 
bridge  ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  boat  was  put  in,  sprang  over  and  shook  the 
hand  of  the  princely  Howard.  It  was  exactly  at  noon. 

I  found  on  inquiry  that  General  Sherman  had  at  an  early  hour  thrown  a 
portion  of  one  of  his  divisions  across  the  river,  under  the  protection  of  a 
battery,  and  subsequently  the  other  divisions,  the  greater  portion  being 
crossed  by  the  steamer  Dunbar,  which,  captured  two  months  ago,  at 
Chattanooga,  had  been  repaired,  and  was  now  serving  good  and  loyal 
purposes.  Immediately  on  arriving  he  had  thrown  up  strong  rifle-pits 
in  two  lines,  covering  the  approach  to  the  bridge  and  adding  much 
strength  to  a  naturally  strong  position.  The  troops  of  his  corps  at  the 
hour  of  noon  held  these  works  and  were  waiting  for  a  division  of  the 
Fourteenth  Corps,  to  cross  the  river  and  take  up  position  in  the  works. 
This  division  had  been  sent  General  Sherman  in  place  of  Osterhaus, 
who  was  acting  with  General  Hooker,  and  was  now  being  used  by 
Sherman  as  a  reserve. 

This  division  crossed  the  river,  and  went  into  line  within  the  works 
about  an  hour  after  the  meeting  between  Howard  and  Sherman.  At 
the  same  moment  General  Sherman  gave  his  orders  to  prepare  for  an 
attack.  By  this  hour,  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  drizzly  rain,  which  had 
been  threatening  us,  began  to  fall,  and  the  object  of  the  assault  was 
soon  hid  from  view.  General  Sherman  stood  on  a  prominent  hill  to 
the  left  of  the  pontoon  bridge,  and  having  succeeded,  with  the  aid  of 
two  orderlies,  and  in  despite  of  the  rain,  in  lighting  a  cigar,  stood  puf 
fing  away  at  one  end,  chewing  at  the  other,  and  observing  all  that  could 
be  seen  in  the  country  before  him.  Around  him  were  gathered  at  this 
time  Generals  Frank  Blair,  Morgan  L.  Smith,  Ewing,  John  W.  Corse, 
and  Howard.  The  troops  of  the  several  divisions  were  encamped  just 
in  front  of  him,  while  on  the  left  and  rear  Davis's  artillery  was  thun 
dering  over  the  bridge.  In  a  very  quiet  tone  Sherman  gave  his  orders 


382  GENERAL    GKAXT 

to  form  for  the  assault,  remarking  that  the  enemy  was  reported  heavy 
in  his  front.  The  formation  as  ordered,  was  echelon  on  the  left,  Gene 
ral  Morgan  L.  Smith's  Division  being  the  left,  John  E.  Smith  the  centre, 
and  Evving  the  right.  The  left  was  to  keep  well  towards  Chickamauga 
Creek,  "and,"  added  Sherman,  "I  want  you  to  keep  up  the  formation, 
400  yards  distance,  until  you  get  to  the  foot  of  the  hill." 

"  And  shall  we  keep  it  after  that  ?"  asked  Ewing. 

"You  may  go  up  the  hill,"  answered  Sherman,  uif  you  like,  and 
can." 

General  Davis  having  got  into  position,  and  the  troops  having  been 
arranged  as  ordered,  General  Sherman  gave  the  orders  to  move  to  the 
assault.  They  were  couched  in  very  common  terms,  but  which  ought 
to  be  preserved:  "I  see  Davis  is  up.  I  guess  you  may  as  well  go  on, 
and  take  the  hill."  In  a  few  moments  after  the  three  columns  were 
moving. 

Soldiers  are  very  different  beings  under  the  two  different  circum 
stances  of  receiving  and  making  an  attack.  In  the  first  case  they  are 
seldom  or  never  composed,  cool,  and  quiet.  Put  men  behind  breast 
works  to  receive  an  assault,  and  the  delay  in  the  attack  creates  anxiety, 
which  develops  into  mental  excitement,  which  finds  vent  in  noise  and  a 
certain  restlessness  of  person.  Going  to  the  assault  they  are  different 
beings.  I  watched  carefully  the  columns,  as  they  moved  out  to  the  as 
sault  on  Tuesday,  each  believing  that  the  next  step  brought  his  ad 
vance  against  that  of  the  enemy.  The  silence  was  painfully  noticeable. 
A  command  given  at  one  end  of  the  corps,  could  be  distinctly  heard  at 
the  other.  The  men  looked  serious,  and  rather  gruff,  and  were  pain 
fully  quiet.  They  conversed  with  each  other  but  seldom,  and  then  in 
under  tones.  All  appeared  anxious  to  preserve  their  weapons  from  the 
rain.  They  moved  in  perfect  order.  But  though  one  might  fail  to  no 
tice  this,  the  most  casual  student  of  human  nature  could  hardly  fail  to 
observe  how  serious  those  men  were.  And  he  would  know,  too,  that  it 
was  not  the  rain  which  dampened  their  spirits.  Ever  and  anon  they 
would  glance  at  the  hill  which  they  were  approaching,  and  it  was  easy  to 
see  why  they  looked  serious.  Perhaps  they  compared  the  hills,  in  their 
own  minds,  to  the  Walnut  Hills  of  Vicksburg ;  but  I  do  not  think  there 
was  one  man  there  who  feared  to  test  the  question  of  victory  or  defeat 
there  and  then. 

But  it  was  not  destined  that  Tuesday  should  witness  a  conflict  for 
these  hills.  General  Sherman  had  anticipated  skirmishing  before 
reaching  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  it  having  been  reported  by  citizens 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  383 

that  the  enemy  held  the  position  in  strong  force.  But  the  foot  of  the 
hill  was  reached,  after  short  delay,  without  any  serious  skirmishing, 
only  a  few  shells,  from  Tunnel  Hill,  passed  over  our  heads,  and  ex 
ploded  among  the  colored  pioneers,  who  followed  in  the  rear,  doing  no 
damage,  but  causing  the  negroes  to  lose  all  respect  for  orders  to  "  close 
up." 

The  enemy  made  no  opposition  to  the  occupation  of  the  extreme  end 
of  the  ridge.  General  Sherman  was  in  possession  of  this  at  about  four 
o'clock  P.  M.  It  then  appeared  that  the  hills  occupied  were  separated 
from  Mission  Ridge  by  a  narrow  valley,  through  which  the  railroad 
runs. 

The  hills  occupied  by  Sherman  were  three  in  number,  and  semicircu 
lar  in  shape,  bending  around  and  north  of  the  end  of  Mission  Ridge. 
The  end  of  the  ridge  is  generally  and  very  properly  called  Tunnel  Hill. 
It  overlooks  and  commands  the  hills  of  which  General  Sherman  found 
himself  in  peaceable  possession ;  and  on  examination  he  found  that  the 
labor  still  remained  to  be  done.  A  close  inspection  of  the  ground  and 
the  enemy's  position  determined  Sherman  to  occupy  the  semicircular 
ridge  with  his  centre  and  right,  and  throw  his  left  still  further  to  the 
left  and  in  the  region  of  Myer's  mill.  The  division  moved  promptly  to 
this  position  and  took  possession  of  the  valley  from  the  foot  of  the  hills 
to  Chickamauga  River,  securing  at  the  time  about  one  hundred  rebels 
engaged  in  building  rafts  of  fallen  timber  with  which  to  destroy  our 
pontoon  bridges. 

An  examination  of  the  enemy's  position  revealed  him  on  the  top  and 
at  the  foot  of  the  next  hill — Tunnel  Hill.  On  the  summit  he  was  en 
gaged  in  strengthening  a  large  bastion-shaped  work  (Fort  Buckner),  and 
was  working  with  great  vigor  and  a  large  force,  as  if  the  fort  had  not 
been  previously  completed.  At  the  foot  of  the  mountain  and  near  the 
west  end  of  the  tunnel  a  force  of  about  one  brigade  occupied  and  held 
the  heavy  railroad  bank. 

General  Sherman  ordered  the  erection  of  defences  on  the  ridge  he 
had  occupied,  and  finding  he  did  not  propose  to  push  further  during  the 
little  of  daylight  left  him,  I  left  his  corps  and  proceeded  to  join  that  of 
General  Hooker,  which  had  been  engaged  all  day. 

In  order  to  carry  out  the  proposed  plan,  and  to  keep  the  enemy's 
lines  as  much  extended  as  possible,  it  was  necessary  that  Hooker  and  Sher 
man  should  attack  the  lines  simultaneously.  General  Hooker's  task  was 
to  assault  Lookout  Mountain,  and  in  the  event  of  finding  a  weak  force 
holding  it,  or  the  failure  of  the  enemy  to  weaken  the  rest  of  their  lino 


384  GEXEEAL   GRANT 

in  order  to  hold  the  mountain,  to  take  possession  of  it.  It  was  thought 
that  as  Tunnel  Hill  was  of  vast  importance  to  the  rebels,  and  Lookout  of 
the  same  value  to  us,  that  they  would  strongly  defend  both.  General 
Hooker  had  only  one  division  of  Slocum's  Corps  to  make  the  assault 
with,  but  was  re-enforced  before  the  attack  was  made  by  a  division  of 
Sherman's  Corps,  and  two  brigades  of  the  Fourth  Corps. 

The  rebels  occupied  the  west  side  or  slope  of  Lookout  Mountain  in 
very  strong  force,  and  also  the  front  or  spur  of  the  mountain.  It  must 
also  be  remembered  that  it  is  not  a  regular  slope  from  the  summit  of 
Lookout  to  the  foot,  but  that  the  first  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  of  the 
descent  is  perpendicular  rocks,  or  what  is  generally  understood  to  be 
meant  by  "palisades."  These  are  very  high  and  grand,  and  there  are 
but  two  routes  by  which  they  can  be  overcome.  One  of  these  is  a  gap 
twenty  miles  south  of  the  river,  and  was  held  by  the  rebels.  The 
other  is  by  the  road  to  Summertown,  which  is  laid  down  upon  the  map. 
It  winds  up  the  east  side  of  the  mountain,  ascending  the  palisades  by  a 
steep  declivity  and  a  narrow  road.  General  Hooker's  plan  of  operation 
was  to  get  possession  of  this  road.  To  do  so  was  to  gain  possession  of 
the  mountain. 

He  began  his  operations  early  on  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  and  by 
eight  o'clock  his  column  was  moving  up  Lookout  Valley,  and  to  the 
surprise  of  the  enemy  on  the  point  of  the  mountain,  -it  disappeared  in 
the  forest  south  of  Wauchatchia.  But  here,  filing  his  troops  to  the  left, 
General  Hooker  began  the  difficult  task  of  the  ascent  of  the  mountain ; 
but  meeting  with  no  opposition  he  was  enabled  to  do  this  in  a  short  time. 
The  head  of  the  column  having  reached  the  palisades  went  into  line 
of  battle  facing  to  the  north,  and  with  the  right  resting  against  the 
palisades,  stretched  down  the  mountain  slope. 

General  Hooker  then  formed  a  second  line  of  the  two  brigades  of  the 
Fourth  Corps,  which  had  been  sent  him,  the  remaining  division  forniiiiur 
a  third  line,  and  held  in  readiness  to  aid  any  part  of  the  line  which  might 
need  it.  Thus  arranged,  the  corps  was  ordered  forward,  with  a  heavy 
line  of  skirmishers  thrown  out,  and,  marching  along  the  slope  of  the 
ridge,  soon  came  upon  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  who,  unsuspecting  such  a 
movement  so  absolutely  opposed  to  all  the  military  rules  by  which 
Bragg  fights,  were  taken  completely  by  surprise.  Before  those  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill  could  comprehend  the  situation,  the  Union  skirmishers 
had  penetrated  far  towards  the  point  of  the  mountain,  and  now  got  in  a 
heavy  fire  upon  the  enemy,  who  were  trying  to  escape  up  the  hill,  while 
our  men  assaulted  them  from  above — a  most  complete  reverse  to  the  late 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  385 

situation.  At  the  same  time  our  batteries  on  Moccasin  Point  and  those 
of  the  rebels  on  Lookout  Mountain  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  each  other, 
and  soon  the  whole  mountain  was  hid  from  view  in  Chattanooga  by  the 
cloud  of  smoke  which  rose  above  and  around  it. 

Thus  taken  in  rear  and  flank,  the  enemy  made  but  little  organized  re 
sistance,  but  their  skirmishers  for  a  long  time  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  from 
behind  jutting  rocks  and  from  trees.  They,  however,  were  forced  back 
by  the  heavy  skirmish  line  under  General  Hooker,  and  the  enemy  on  the 
point  of  the  mountain  gradually  gave  way,  and  fell  back  in  some  disor 
der  to  the  line  of  breastworks  on  the  east  slope  of  the  mountain,  at  Car- 
lin's  house.  The  Union  troops  then  swung  around  until  his  line  was 
parallel  with  that  of  the  enemy,  and  again  advanced;  but,  met  by  organ 
ized  and  well  directed  resistance,  for  a  time  recoiled  and  hesitated. 

It  was  now  that  the  fruits  of  the  strange  movement  of  Hooker  began 
to  develop  themselves.  The  Union  line  had  moved  around  the  spur  of 
the  mountain  and  on  the  east  side  with  such  rapidity  that  the  enemy 
stationed  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  along  the  river  had  no  time  to  escape, 
and  our  troops  began  to  secure  them  by  hundreds.  Every  jutting  rock, 
every  thicket  of  undergrowth,  and  many  a  hollow  tree,  on  examination, 
disclosed  their  secrets  in  the  shape  of  prisoners.  Each  regiment  en 
gaged  seemed  to  have  secured  enough  to  have  filled  their  ranks,  and  the 
provost-marshal,  who  appeared  to  take  charge  of  them,  soon  found  his 
hands  full.  The  number  thus  captured,  General  Hooker  estimated  on  the 
spot  at  two  thousand,  but  on  counting  them  it  was  found  the  exact  num 
ber  secured  was  only  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty.  They  rep 
resented  themselves  to  be  from  Stevenson's  Division,  and  it  was  soon 
discovered  that  they  were  the  unexchanged  prisoners  taken  by  Grant  at 
Vicksburg.  I  have  talked  with  several  of  these  men  since,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  in  my  own  mind  that  they  conscientiously  believed  that  they 
had  been  exchanged.  Certain  it  is  that  it  had  been  so  represented  to 
these  men,  and  officers  and  men  with  whom  I  have  conversed  freely  on 
the  subject,  express  great  indignation  at  their  own  government  and 
terror  of  ours.  I  attempted  to  convince  these  men  that  though  our 
government  would  hold  all  officers  who  had  been  guilty  or  cognizant  of 
this  outrage  to  a  strict  accountability  to  the  laws  of  nations  on  the  sub 
ject,  it  would  at  the  same  time  be  too  merciful  to  punish  those  who  had 
already  been  victims  to  the  deceptions  of  their  friends.  This  was  con 
solation  to  the  men,  who  were  terribly  frightened  at  the  prospect  of  punish 
ment  ;  but  the  more  intelligent  of  the  officers  seemed  to  fear  very  little 
the  power  of  the  government  to  punish  them. 
17 


386  GENERAL    GRAXT 

An  examination  of  the  enemy's  position  revealed  him  behind  very 
heavy  and  strong  breastworks  running  diagonally  across  a  large  open 
field,  of  which  Carlin's  house  is  the  centre.  The  works  were  very  strong. 
and  deep  rifle-pits,  and  posted  behind  them,  to  the  right  of  Carlin's 
house,  were  two  pieces  of  light  artillery.  The  enemy  had  not  yet  open 
ed  with  these,  but  was  preparing  to  do  so  as  soon  as  our  line  should 
appear  out  of  the  woods  and  advancing  across  this  open  field.  General 
Hooker,  after  a  close  examination  of  this  position,  made  a  new  disposition 
of  his  force  and  began  a  systematic  assault  upon  the  works.  Every 
advantage  was  now  with  the  enemy,  and,  with  re-enforcements  to  the 
extent  of  his  losses  in  prisoners,  he  could  have  held  the  mountain  against 
General  Hooker's  combined  force.  But  the  re-enforcements  were  not 
forthcoming.  The  weakened  enemy  had  to  contract  his  line  to  the 
works  immediately  across  the  field,  and  in  doing  so  left  his  right  flank 
exposed. 

Now  began  the  heavy  struggle  of  the  day.  Sending  two  regiments 
to  hold  the  road  which  crosses  the  spur  of  the  mountain  from  the  east, 
he  advanced  the  rest  of  his  forces  to  the  front  line.  An  advance  was 
immediately  ordered,  and  for  an  hour  and  a  half  (it  was  now  two  o'clock 
p.  M.)  a  very  heavy  sharpshooters'  fight  was  kept  up.  I  cannot  expect 
to  give  any  clear  idea  of  this  engagement.  It  was  no  place  to  manreuvre 
columns.  Each  man  and  company  fought  upon  his  and  its  4i  own  hook/' 
From  Chattanooga  nothing  was  visible  save  the  misty  smoke  which  en 
veloped  and  hid  the  mountain.  But  beneath  this  the  combatants  saw 
each  other,  and  here  they  continued  to  fight  with  desperation  until 
four  o'clock,  when  there  came  a  tide  in  Hooker's  fortune  which  he  did 
not  fail  to  take  at  the  flood. 

The  skirmish  line  was  enabled,  under  cover  of  the  trees  which  grew 
along  that  part  of  the  ridge,  to  advance  much  nearer  the  rebel  line  than 
those  hi  the  immediate  front  of  the  enemy  and  the  open  field.  It  was 
also  upon  the  flank  of  the  position ;  and  the  weakness  of  the  enemy 
having  compelled  him  to  contract  his  left,  a  lodgment  was  found  very 
near  their  rifle-pits.  General  Hooker,  upon  being  informed  of  this,  at 
four  o'clock  ordered  a  charge  of  the  line,  and  through  a  heavy  and  rapid 
fire,  kept  up  for  five  long  minutes — and  minutes  are  sometimes  very  long 
— the  men  dashed  forward  upon,  over,  and  into  the  abandoned  pits.  The 
enemy  had  seen  the  long  line  of  steel  that  glittered  even  amid  the  rain 
which  was  pouring  upon  them,  and  they  couldn't  stand  that.  They  also 
saw  troops  upon  their  left  flank,  and,  filled  with  that  holy  horror  which 
old  soldiers  have  for  "  flank  movements,"  they  couldn't  stand  that 


AXD    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  387 

They  fell  back,  abandoning  works,  artillery,  and  position,  but  still  holding 
the  important  Summertown  road. 

Bat  the  enemy,  though  flanked  and  overpowered,  did  not  appear 
disposed  to  leave  us  in  quiet  possession  of  his  works  and  guns.  He 
hastily  reformed  his  lines  and  prepared  to  assault  in  turn.  The  Union 
ists  had  hardly  occupied  the  captured  position,  or  been  able  to  remove 
the  captured  guns,  before  the  enemy  returned  to  the  attack.  He  pressed 
forward  with  great  vigor  and  gained  ground  very  rapidly  at  first,  but 
found  hi  his  way  the  same  obstacle  of  the  open  field,  while  he  did  not 
have  the  advantage  of  superior  numbers.  As  soon  as  it  came  to  close 
work,  his  rapidly  advancing  lines  were  halted  very  suddenly  by  the 
terrible  fire  which  was  now  poured  hi  upon  him.  He  continued,  bow- 
ever,  to  fire  rapidly,  and  with  some  execution  upon  our  line,  but  would 
have  been  ultimately  repulsed  without  other  assistance,  had  not  a  very 
serious  obstacle  presented  itself. 

Men  in  line  of  battle  very  soon  expend  their  ammunition.  In  a  skir 
mishing  engagement,  like  that  they  were  then  having,  they  dispose  of  it 
even  more  rapidly.  We  were  nearly  out  of  ammunition,  and  the  command 
ing  officer  had  serious  fears  he  would  have  to  relinquish  possession  of  the 
works  if  his  cartridge-boxes  were  not  soon  replenished.  General  Hooker, 
this,  had  sent  for  ammunition  at  an  early  hour  after  getting 


possession  of  the  road  across  the  spur  of  the  mountain  ;  but  the  difficulties 
of  the  uncertain  pontoon  bridges  had  prevented  his  getting  any.  He  again 
asked  for  it,  and  this  time  it  came,  and  at  the  opportune  moment  The  men 
were  beginning  to  fall  out  of  line  occasionally,  entirely  out  of  ammunition  ; 
for  when  a  man  pate  his  hand  behind  him  and  into  his  cartridge-box,  to 
find  no  cartridges  there,  a  good  deal  of  his  confidence,  if  not  courage,  oozes 
out  at  the  ends  of  his  fingers,  with  which  be  thought  to  grasp  the  death- 
dealing  messenger.  The  line  was  beginning  to  be  thinned  by  men  who 
had  fired  their  sixty  rounds,  when  the  ammunition  which  General 
Thomas  had  sent  sprang  across  Chattanooga  Creek.  The  enemy  had 
begun  to  perceive  his  advantage  and  to  push  forward,  when  this  ammu 
nition  marched  up  the  hflL  The  enemy  had  even  ventured  upon  a  shout 
of  assured  victory,  when  this  ammunition  deployed  into  line  and  double- 
quicked  across  the  open  field,  and  sprang  into  the  vacated  places. 
There  were  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  rounds  of  it.  strapped  upon 
the  backs  of  as  good  men  as  had  stayed  with  Thomas  at  Chickamauga, 
and  in  ten  minutes  after  it  reached  the  works  it  had  reputed  the  enemy! 
The  re-enforcements  which  so  opportunely  arrived  consisted  of  a  brigade 
of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  and  upon  it  devolved  the  remainder  of  the  labor 


388  GEXERAL   GRANT 

of  the  day.  It  was  dark  by  the  time  the  enemy  were  repulsed,  and  those 
who  stayed  in  Chattanooga  describe  this  fight  as  the  most  magnificent 
view  of  the  grand  panorama  of  war  which  we  have  just  witnessed.  It 
was  just  beginning  to  be  dark  enough  to  see  the  flash  of  the  muskets, 
and  still  light  enough  to  distinguish  the  general  outline  of  the  contend 
ing  masses.  The  mountain  was  lit  up  by  the  fires  of  the  men  in  the 
second  line,  and  the  flash  of  muskeljy  and  artillery.  An  unearthly  noise 
rose  from  the  mountain  as  if  the  old  monster  was  groaning  with  the 
punishment  the  pigmy  combatants  inflicted  upon  him  as  well  as  upon 
each  other.  And  during  it  all,  the  great  guns  on  the  summit  continued, 
as  in  rage,  to  bellow  defiance  at  the  smaller  guns  of  Moccasin  Point, 
which,  with  lighter  tone,  and  more  rapidly,  as  if  mocking  the  imbecility 
of  its  giant  enemy,  continued  to  fire  till  the  day  roared  itself  into  dark 
ness. 

The  enemy  fell  back  after  Ms  repulse  to  a  point  covering  the  Summer- 
town  ascent  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  and  for  the  remainder  of 
the  night  confined  himself  to  the  defence  of  that  defile  and  to  the  evac 
uation  of  the  mountain. 

Subsequently,  about  midnight,  the  enemy,  to  cover  his  retreat,  made 
an  assault  upon  the  Union  lines,  but  though  they  did  some  execution 
they  were  handsomely  repulsed. 

General  Hooker  made  a  great  reputation  by  this  attack  with  the  men 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  As  his  lines  would  advance  after 
night,  the  men  could  see  his  fires  springing  up  and  locating  his  new 
line.  As  each  line  became  developed  by  these  fires,  those  on  the  moun 
tain  could  plainly  distinguish  the  cheers  of  their  comrades  below.  One 
of  the  expressions  used  by  a  private  who  was  watching  the  fires  from 
Orchard  Knob  has  already  grown  into  the  dignity  of  a  camp  proverb. 
On  seeing  the  line  of  camp  fires  advanced  to  Carlin's  house  and  beyond 
the  rifle-pits  of  the  enemy,  a  soldier  in  General  "Wood's  command  sprang 
up  from  his  reclining  position  on  Orchard  Knob,  and  exclaimed : 
"  Look  at  old  Hooker !  Don't  he  fight  for  '  keeps  ? ' " 

The  sequel  of  the  fight — the  morning's  handsome  epilogue  to  the 
night's  drama — is  already  known.  Hooker  found  the  enemy  gone,  and 
the  assault  of  Lookout  Mountain  had  not  been  in  vain.* 

The  following  is  General  Grant's  modest  dispatch  with 
regard  to  the  operations  of  the  second  day : 

*  Mr.  W.  P.  G.  Shanks's  dispatch. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  389 

CHATTANOOGA,  Nov.  24 — 6  p.  M. 
Major  G-eneral  H.  W.  HALLECK,  General-in-  Chief,  Washington,  D.  C. : — 

The  fighting  to-day  progressed  favorably. 

General  Sherman  carried  the  end  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and  his  right 
is  now  at  the  tunnel,  and  his  left  at  Chickamauga  Creek. 

The  troops  from  Lookout  Valley  carried  the  point  of  the  mountain, 
and  now  hold  the  eastern  slope  and  point  high  up. 

I  cannot  yet  tell  the  amount  of  casualties,  but  our  loss  is  not  heavy. 

General  Hooker  reports  two  thousand  prisoners  taken,  besides  which 
a  small  number  have  fallen  into  our  hands  from  Missionary  Ridge. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General 

In  the  above  dispatch  General  Grant- says  nothing  about 
himself,  or  in  what  manner  he  had  participated  in  the 
struggle,  although  from  the  correspondent's  account  it  is 
clearly  seen,  that  notwithstanding  his  crippled  condition 
he  anxiously  watched  the  movements  of  the  troops  at  a 
position  within  cannon  shot  of  the  enemy. 

The  following  is  the  rebel  dispatch  concerning  the  con 
test : 

MISSION  RIDGE,  Nov.  24,  1863. 
To  General  S.  COOPER  : 

We  have  had  a  prolonged  struggle  for  Lookout  Mountain  to-day,  and 
sustained  considerable  loss  in  one  division.  Elsewhere  the  enemy  has 
only  manoeuvred  for  position. 

BRAXTON  BRAGG.  General 


390  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  LI. 

THIED  DAY. TUNNEL  HILL. MISSION  RIDGE. 

The  battle  raged  as  furiously  on  the  third  day  as  on  those 
preceding,  and  is  thus  described : 

General  Hooker  pursued  the  retreating  enemy  on  top  of  the  moun 
tains,  but  did  not  succeed  in  coming  up  with  him.  He  descended  the 
mountain,  however,  at  Hickajack  trace,  and,  crossing  the  Chattanooga 
Creek  Yalley,  made  the  ascent  of  Mission  Ridge  at  or  near  the  old  battle 
field  of  Chickamauga.  Here  he  was  to  the  south  of  Rossville  and  in  the 
rear  of  the  rebel  line  in  Chattanooga  Valley,  entirely  cut  off  from  the 
rest  of  our  army,  but  perfectly  able  to  take  care  of  himself.  He  began 
to  move  north  on  top  of  Mission  Ridge,  and  arrived  at  an  opportune 
moment  in  the  rear  of  Fort  Breckinridge. 

"Weary  with  watching  Hooker  the  night  previous,  it  was  late  before  I 
reached  Orchard  Knob  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday.  At  the  first 
glance  I  thought  the  situation  here  unchanged ;  but  upon  a  closer  ex 
amination  I  saw  that  the  mask  of  night  had  been  used  to  cover  very  ex 
tensive  preparations  for  hard  work.  The  relinquishing  of  Lookout 
Mountain  had  evinced  the  rebel  intention  to  defend  Mission  Ridge  with 
vigor,  and  in  answer  to  this  sensible  play  of  the  rebels,  General  Grant 
had  doubled  the  strength  of  forces  selected  to  storm  the  ridge.  Wood  had 
been  chosen  to  storm  the  heights  at  Blackfords.  General  Grant  had 
added  to  his  force  that  of  General  Baird.  Sheridan  had  been  chosen 
to  make  the  assault  at  Thurman's  house,  and  a  brigade  was  added  to 
his  force.  General  Palmer  had  taken  command  of  these  in  person,  while 
General  Gordon  Granger  assumed  command  of  the  divisions  of  Wood 
and  Baird.  Under  the  cover  of  the  forest  in  which  they  rested,  these  two 
formidable  columns  wefe  hid  from  view  from  Mission  Ridge,  and  there 
were  no  rebels  on  Mission  Ridge  to  signalize  the  important  information 
to  Bragg,  who  kept  head-quarters  at  Blackfords.  The  men  were  in  ex 
cellent  spirits.  They  had  rested  well  from  their  Monday's  labor,  and 
their  souls  had  been  cheered  by  seeing  Hooker's  camp  fires  on  Lookout 
and  Sherman's  on  Mission  Ridge.  Daylight  had  revealed  the  signal 


AND   HI^  CAMPAIGNS.  391 

flags  waving  on  Lookout,  and  the  artillery  of  Sherman  opening  from 
his  position  on  Fort  Buckner.  General  Wood  was  enjoying  himself 
hugely,  and  called  to  me  to  stay  and  see  the  finest  work  of  the  day ; 
but  I  had  seen  General  Rawlings,  of  Grant's  staff,  dash  away  a  few 
minutes  before  towards  Fort  Wood,  and  I  knew  that  he  had  gone  to 
fire  the  signal  for  the  assault,  and,  putting  spurs  to  the  (not)  noble  ass 
which  I  had  pressed  into  service  in  default  of  a  good  horse  I  had  bro 
ken  down  the  day  before,  I  dashed  off  to  see  Sherman's  fight. 

I  found  General  Howard's  Corps  moving  to  the  left,  taking  care  to 
expose  itself  as  much  as  possible  to  rebel  eyesight.  The  corps  subse 
quently  reached  General  Sherman,  and  were  sent  to  strengthen  his  left 
in  a  movement  up  Chickamauga  Creek. 

On  reaching  the  summit  of  the  semi-circular  shaped  hills,  which 
General  Sherman  had  occupied  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  I  found  he  had 
strengthened  his  position  by  strong  rifle-pits,  and  had  put  four  pieces  of 
artillery  on  the  right  of  his  line,  on  the  hills,  and  a  section  on  the  other 
extreme,  thus  getting  in  an  enfilading  fire  on  Fort  Buckner.  I  asked 
the  distance  from  the  right  position  to  Fort  Buckner,  and  by  the  eleva 
tion  given  to  the  guns  it  was  reported  to  be  a  fraction  over  900  yards. 
A  short  time  after  my  arrival  this  battery  again  became  rather  seriously 
engaged  with  a  r^ebel  battery  in  Fort  Buckner,  which  was  kept  up  for 
half  an  hour,  to  the  evident  discomfiture  of  the  rebels.  With  the  excep 
tion  of  the  artillery,  the  line  was  as  quiet  and  composed  as  if  in  camp, 
or  as  were  three  of  our  high  privates,  whom  I  saw  sitting  in  a  cluster 
to  the  left,  making  entries  in  their  diaries.  Three  private  soldiers, 
under  fire,  entering  in  diaries,  in  plain,  legible  chirography,  the  events 
of  the  day,  is  a  spectacle  only  seen  in  the  army  of  the  Union.  It  is  one 
of  the  sights  which  causes  one  to  reflect,  and  which  will  long  retain 
hold  upon  his  memory. 

The  operations  of  the  day,  on  General  Sherman's  part,  began  by  an 
attack  on  his  right  upon  the  enemy  posted  behind  the  railroad  bank  at 
Glass  Station.  This  attack  was  made  at  ten  o'clock,  and  resulted  in  a 
repulse  of  the  assaulting  Union  troops,  after  a  short  fight,  so  weakly 
made  and  so  early  dropped  that  I  imagine  it  was  intended  to  develop 
the  enemy  and  his  strength  for  the  benefit  of  the  artillery  on  the  hill 
which  began  to  pour  upon  the  rebels  a  very  destructive  fire  of  shells, 
which  exploded  above  them  in  handsome  style.  The  Union  commander 
recalled  his  troops  after  they  had  fully  drawn  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and 
awaited  further  developments  on  the  left. 

I  find  myself  using  the  pronoun  of  the  egotist  rather  oftener  than  is 


392  GENERAL 

modest,  perhaps ;  but  the  history  of  the  first  events  of  the  battle  must 
necessarily  be  matters  of  personal  observation — and  that  must  be  my 
apology.  On  going  to  the  left  of  the  ridge  I  found  gathered  together 
there  Generals  Sherman,  Blair,  M.  L.  Smith  and  Lightburn,  watching 
the  re-enforcement  by  General  Corse's  command  of  three  regiments  of 
General  Lightburn's  Brigade,  which  had  succeeded  in  effecting  a  lodg 
ment  on  Tunnel  Hill,  and  upon  which  the  enemy  was  still  at  work  on 
Fort  Buckner.  General  Blair  pointed  out  the  situation  to  me,  remark 
ing,  "  When  we  take  one  hill  it  looks  as  if  there  was  another  to  be 
taken."  But,  after  a  moment's  pause  and  silent  observation  of  Tunnel 
Hill,  he  added,  "When  we've  got  that  we'll  be  done."  I  don't  know 
that  General  Blair  thought  we  should  be  repulsed ;  but  I  imagine  he 
did  when  he  made  that  last  remark. 

General  Corse,  with  his  command,  mounted  the  hill  in  good  style,  and 
reached  the  crest  without  any  difficulty  or  opposition,  as  other  troops 
had  also  succeeded  in  doing;  for  you  must  understand  that  Fort  Buck 
ner  was  not  built  immediately  on  the  edge  of  the  hill.  That  is,  you 
reached  the  top  and  the  plateau  before  you  got  under  the  fire  of  the 
fort;  but  the  moment  you  began  to  move  over  the  plateau  the  fire  of 
the  enemy  was  likely  to  open  out  upon  you.  General  Corse,  taking 
command,  formed  the  whole  force  under  the  crest  of  ^he  hill,  his  own 
immediate  command  on  the  right,  with  the  other  three  regiments  on  the 
left.  It  was  just  eleven  o'clock  when  a  tremendous  volley  from  the 
enemy  revealed  the  fact,  patent  only  to  good  field-glasses,  that  Corse 
had  marched  over  the  crest,  was  on  the  plateau,  and  was  charging  on 
Fort  Buckner.  The  opening  chorus  was  well  worthy  to  be  the  prologue 
of  the  day's  drama,  for  it  had  all  the  merit  of  brevity  and  briskness.  It 
lasted  but  ten  minutes.  The  men  fell  back  under  the  crest  of  the  hill, 
but  they  left  their  dead  and  wounded  in  the  enemy's  rifle-pits.  As 
they  retreated  our  batteries  opened  upon  the  pursuing  enemy,  who  ap 
peared  in  heavy  force.  This  ably-directed  fire  covered  the  retreat  so 
well  that  the  enemy  were  unable  to  pursue  to  the  crest  of  the  hill. 

This  column  had  hardly  fallen  back  to  its  position  when  from  the 
right  appeared  another  Union  brigade,  pushing  steadily  and  rapidly 
across  some  open  fields  in  a  persistent  and  stronger  attack  upon 
the  railroad  bank  at  this  station.  The  enemy  gave  him  a  waim 
reception  in  front;  but  one  of  the  Union  regiments  appearing  upon 
their  left  flank,  and  our  .batteries  opening  on  them  frcm  their  right, 
they  failed  to  stand  the  assault,  and  hastily  abandoning  it  fled  up  the 
hill  to  the  fort.  Our  men  were  seen  in  permnuent  occupation  of  the 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  393 

bank,  and  from  it  continued  to  fire  on  the  retreating  rebels  until  the 
last  one  found  safety  behind  the  mud  walls  of  Fort  Buckner. 

While  this  had  been  going  on,  General  Corse  was  re-enforced  by  a 
portion,  perhaps  all,  of  another  brigade,  and  the  position  vacated  by 
him  was  then  filled  by  the  Eleventh  Corps  of  General  Howard,  which 
about  this  time  double-quicked  across  the  ridge  and  went  into  position 
on  the  left  extreme.  A  second  assault  was  now  ordered,  and  General 
Lightburn,  who  had  been  anxiously  watching  the  action,  joined  the 
portion  of  his  brigade  on  the  hill,  and  assumed  command  of  the  whole 
assaulting  column.  He  ordered  the  movement  to  begin  immediately, 
and  a  more  desperate  and  bloody  assault  than  the  former  was  made. 
The  combat  had  no  salient  point  to  be  described;  it  was  simply  a 
steady  and  slow  advance  of  the  -whole  line  to  within  a  few  dozen  yards 
of  the  fort,  occupying  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  and  then  a  rapid 
retreat  to  the  former  position  at  the  crest  of  the  hill,  leaving  the  dead 
and  wounded  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy ;  and  between  their  outer  rifle 
pits  and  Fort  Buckner,  Generals  Corse  and  Giles  Smith,  seriously 
wounded,  were  carried  into  the  valley  in  the  rear — the  one  to  lose  his 
leg,  and  the  other  probably  to  die.  Corse  and  Smith  gone,  the  troops 
were  reformed  in  a  new  line  of  battle  by  Lightburn,  and  under  orders 
the  line  lay  down  to  rest  and  await  the  attack  of  the  enemy  should  he 
venture  to  make  one.  From  this  time — quarter  after  twelve,  was  the 
time  which  this  repulse  took  place — until  half-past  one  there  was  a 
pause  in  Sherman's  battle.  This  he  occupied  in  inditing  a  message  to 
Grant,  and  in  preparing  for  a  more  determined  assault.  The  centre  of 
the  line  at  Orchard  Knob  noted  the  time  by  rapid  and  vigorous  firing. 
I  employed  the  time  by  examining  the  hospitals  in  rear  of  the  lately 
assaulting  party,  and  I  found  at  the  old  log  hut,  which  was  being  used 
as  an  hospital,  and  in  the  side  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  many  a  brave  heart 
that  had  grown  suddenly  silent  to  the  praises  which  comrades  were 
murmuring  over  them. 

On  leaving  the  valley  and  the  hospitals  I  returned  to  the  point  on 
the  right  of  the  ridge,  where  the  guns  were  posted.  Here  I  found  that 
a  Union  brigade  had,  disdaining  the  protection  of  the  railroad  bank, 
rushed  forward  and  was  now  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  for  the  pos 
session  of  an  abrupt  ledge  of  rocks,  which,  outcropping  from  the  hill 
side,  afforded  a  secure  position  to  an  attacking  column,  at  a  point  not 
more  than  fifty  yards  from  Fort  Buckner,  which,  let  it  be  noticed,  was 
near  the  crest  of  the  west  side  of  the  hill,  up  which  the  brigade  was 
now  moving.  The  brigade  eventually  gained  possession  of  this  by  half- 
17* 


394  GENERAL    GRANT 

past  one  o'clock,  when  a  second  brigade  moved  upon  its  left  and  rear. 
This  brigade  got  into  position  without  any  serious  skirmishing.  But 
while  this  force  was  moving  up,  the  enemy  had  continued  to  pour  into 
the  advance  not  only  a  continuous,  though  harmless  fire  of  musketry, 
but  had  devised  and  put  into  execution  a  system  of  warfare  worthy  of 
the  ancients.  They  'began  throwing  stones.  And  this,  too,  with  such  an 
effect,  that  they  soon  grew  to  be  as  great  a  terror  to  our  boys  as  gun 
boats  were  formerly  to  the  rebels.  These  stones — huge  in  size — partly 
thrown  down  the  mountain,  would  leap  over  the  outjutting  rocks  and 
fall  upon  our  men  with  great  force,  doing  much  damage.  The  men  at 
length,  unable  to  bear  this  fire,  demanded  to  be  led  against  the  fort,  and 
did  rush  forward,  but  met  with  such  a  heavy  fire  that  in  their  tempo 
rarily  disordered  state  they  were  unable  to  stand  it,  and  breaking, 
turned  and  fled,  only  the  color-bearer  of  one  of  the  regiments  remaining 
in  position.  Here  he  continued,  waving  his  flag,  until  the  retreating 
forces  having  met  in  descending,  the  second  advancing  brigade  turned, 
rallied,  and  again  marched  in  good  order  to  the  position  formerly  held 
by  it,  and  rescued  their  colors  from  the  enemy,  who  was  making  a 
charge  for  their  possession.  The  color-bearer  remained  unhurt.  The 
two  brigades  now  laid  down  again  when  the  enemy  began  again  his 
fire  of  stones,  but  failed  this  time  to  break  the  line,  though  the  troops 
were  much  harassed  by  this  novel  expedient  to  dislodge  them. 

JSTot  content  with  the  strength  of  the  column  which  lay  now  resting 
on  the  hill,  General  Sherman  ordered  two  other  regiments  to  move  up 
to  the  left  and  rear  of  those  forces,  in  order  to  support  it.  These  regi 
ments  moved  forward  and  took  up  a  strong  position  about  nalfway  up 
the  hill.  He  had  no  sooner  gotten  into  position  than  the  other  troops 
moved,  and  began  to  advance  up  the  hill,  with  loud  shouts  of  encour 
agement.  The  enemy  sprang  to  their  guns,  and  from  six  pieces  of  artil 
lery  and  a  long  line  of  musketry  a  heavy  and  destructive  fire  was 
poured  upon  them  Instantly  the  last  two  regiments  sent  by  General 
Sherman,  though  out  of  breath  in  climbing  half way  up  the  hill,  pushed 
forward  in  support  of  this  perhaps  premature  assault.  The  hill  at  this 
time  fitfully  flashed  and  flared  with  flame,  and  the  columns,  the  flags, 
the  figures  of  both  foe  and  friend  being  plainly  visible,  there  was  pre 
sented  the  most  magnificent  vision  of  war  which  has  yet  been  vouchsafed 
me.  I  cannot  and  dare  not  attempt  to  describe  it.  If  the  reader  can 
imagine  two  hosts  thus  struggling,  his  imagination,  however  weak,  can 
not  fail  to  draw  a  sublimer  picture  than  my  pen  ;  and  however  bright  that 
imagination  may  be,  it  cannot  fail  to  fall  far  short  of  the  sublime  reality. 


HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  395 

Through  a  half  hour  of  slow,  toilsome  ascent  did  this  keep  on.  The 
enemy  continued  without  intermission  to  pour  canister  and  musket  balls 
into  the  column  whose  success  they  appeared  so  much  to  fear.  Our 
men  toiled  on  slowly,  making  but  one  wild  dash  at  the  guns,  from  which 
they  came  back  maddened  with  rage  at  their  failure.  From  their  line 
the  fire  leaped  upward  to  almost  meet  that  of  the  enemy  they  were  ap 
proaching.  Success  seemed  within  our  very  grasp,  and  when — 

It  was  a  partial  repulse,  but  that  momentary  episode  of  the  battle 
will  reflect  undying  honor  on  the  army  of  which  those  repulsed  troops 
formed  a  part.  I  know  not  the  cause — the  rebel  artillery  may  have  been 
concentrated  upon  it,  but  one  brigade  broke — broke  in  utter  confusion, 
I  thought,  as  I  saw  it,  and  the  men  came  rushing  down  the  hill.  The 
others  still  stood,  and  the  re-enforcements  continued  to  move  forward. 
But  the  retreating  troops  did  not  fly  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  for  at 
the  moment  they  were  passing  the  re-enforcements  an  officer  sprang 
forward  among  them,  seized  the  standard  of  one  of  the  regiments  and 
stuck  it  in  the  ground.  I  saw  him  wave  bis  sword  once  over  his  head 
and  point  up  the  hilL  I  could  not  hear  his  voice,  but  the  men  did,  and 
as  if  by  magic — which  will  be  forever  a  mystery  to  me — that  routed 
column  turned,  turned  instantly,  and  in  a  single  second  was  marching 
up  the  hill,  as  firmly  and  as  strongly  formed  as  that  of  the  newly  arrived 
troops,  and  apparently  forming  a  part  of  them.  Xot  a  man  went  further 
than  where  the  re-enforcements  were  met,  and  there  all  turned  and  re 
charged  as  if  it  were  a  movement  they  had  been  practising  for  years. 

And  then  this  whole  line  pushed  forward  again — certainly  the  most 
wonderful  display  of  human  nature  under  thorough  discipline  I  have 
ever  beheld  or  imagined.  Both  brigades  had  broken  once ;  yet  now, 
after  half  an  hour's  fight,  they  again  returned  to  the  fight  by  the  side 
of  a  third  leader.  It  is  to  me,  writing  it,  perfectly  incomprehensible,  and 
I  turn  to  my  notes  to  see  if  my  memory  is  not  at  fault.  But  no — the 
wonderful  achievement  is  there  in  black  and  white — the  very  hour 
marked  and  noted,  and  just  beneath  it  is  a  still  more  wonderful  achieve 
ment  in  the  last  charge  and  repulse. 

It  was  just  at  a  quarter  after  two  o'clock  that  the  forces  then  in  line 
made  a  last  grand  charge  at  the  rebel  works,  fifty  yards  in  front  of  them. 
The  line  was  perfect  now,  though  the  stream  of  wounded  that  straggled 
to  the  rear  made  it  look  ragged.  The  order  was  given,  and  they  push 
ed  forward.  It  was  but  a  short  walk  before  breakfast,  that  fifty  yards, 
but  it  was  no  child's  play  to  charge  over  it.  Double  shotted  with 
canister,  the  rebel  guns  thundered  upon  our  men  ;  and,  alas !  we  could 


396  GENERAL   GRANT 

see  it  was  fearfully  thinning  our  still  advancing  ranks.  But  still  our  boys 
pres33tl  on — stern,  rigid,  boldly,  grandly.  I  saw  them  with  my  glass 
draw  the  blue  cloth  cap  down  over  their  eyes,  as  if  seeking  to  hide  the 
fearful  flame  that  devoured  them.  A  few  more  yards  and  a  few  more 
lives,  and  the  rebel  battery,  the  rebel  position  was  ours. 

"We  did  not  win  it  here.  The  enemy  was  forced  to  call  for  help — to 
draw  from  his  centre — and  at  this  moment,  when  all  was  ours,  they 
poured  in  from  their  left  around  the  hill,  and  got  in  upon  our  boys  a 
damnable  flank  and  cross  fire  that  it  was  perfectly  impossible  to  oppose. 
This  force  proved  to  be  very  heavy,  and  came  into  the  engagement  at 
double-quick.  Our  line  crumbled  almost  instantaneously.  A  few  hun 
dred  faced  about  and  fought  a  running  fight  to  the  rear ;  but  the  main 
body  turned  and  retreated.  But  there  was  no  panic,  no  despair.  They 
saw  they  had  filled  and  were  overcome.  They  retreated,  bat  not  rush 
ing  wildly  and  furiously  far  to  the  rear.  The  powerful  aided  tlie  weak, 
and  the  strong  bore  off  the  wounded. 

The  west  side  of  the  hill  was  soon  cleared  of  all  but  our  wounded 
and  the  rebels.  These  latter  pushed  around  the  hill,  under  the  lire  of 
our  guns,  until  they  suddenly,  and  apparently  unexpectedly,  came  upon 
Lightburn,  who  had  during  all  this  remained  perfectly  quiet,  but  who 
now  sent  them  howling  to  their  holes. 

At  this  moment  I  was  standing  near  the  bronze  figure  of  Sherman. 
As  our  men  retreated  down  the  hill  I  saw  him  bite  off  the  end  of  a  cigar, 
light  it,  take  a  puff  or  two,  and  then,  turning  to  one  of  his  aides,  said, 
"  Tell  Lightburn  to  intrench  and  go  into  position."  He  then  sat  down  to 
write  a  dispatch.  I  knew  the  battle  of  Tunnel  Hill  was  over. 

We  had  been  repulsed.     I  may  say  bloodily  repulsed. 

But  the  enemy  had  been  forced  to  commit  the  fatal  error.* 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  battle  of  Mis 
sion  Ridge  is  given  by  an  eye-witness. 

The  iron  heart  of  Sherman's  column  began  to  be  audible,  like  the  fall 
of  great  trees  in  the  aepth  of  the  forest,  as  it  beat  beyond  the  woods  on 
the  extreme  left.  Over  roads  indescribable,  and  conquering  lions  o! 
difficulties  that  met  him  all  the  way,  he  had  at  length  arrived  with  his 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  The  roar  of  his  guns  was  like 


*  Mr.  W.  F.  G.  Shanks's  dispatches  to  the  New  York  Herald. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  397 

the  striking  of  a  great  clock,  and  grew  nearer  and  louder  as  the  morn 
ing  wore  away.  Along  the  centre  all  was  still.  Our  men  lay  as  they 
had  lain  since  Tuesday  night,  motionless  behind  the  works.  Generals 
Grant,  Thomas,  Granger,  Meigs,  Hunter,  Reynolds,  were  grouped  at  Or' 
chard  Knob,  here ;  Bragg,  Breokinridge,  Hardee,  Stevens,  Cleburn.  Bates, 
Walker,  were  waiting  on  Mission  Ridge,  yonder.  And  the  northern 
clock  tolled  on !  At  noon,  a  pair  of  steamers,  screaming  in  the  river 
across  the  town,  telling  over,  in  their  own  wild  way,  our  mountain  tri 
umph  on  the  right,  pierced  the  hushed  breadth  of  air  between  two  lines 
of  battle  with  a  note  or  two  of  the  music  of  peaceful  life. 

At  one  o'clock  the  signal  Hag  at  Fort  Wood  was  a  nutter.  Scanning 
the  horizon,  another  flag,  glancing  like  a  lady's  handkerchief,  showed 
white  across  a  field  lying  high  and  dry  upon  the  ridge  three  miles  to  the 
northeast,  and  answered  back.  The  centre  and  Sherman's  Corps  had 
spokerl  As  the  hour  went  by,  all  semblance  to  falling  tree  and  toll 
ing  clock  had  vanished;  it  was  a  rattling  roar;  the  ring  of  Sherman's 
panting  artillery,  and  the  fiery  gust  from  the  rebel  guns  on  Tunnel  Hill, 
the  point  of  Mission  Ridge.  The  enemy  had  massed  there  the  corps  of 
Hardee  and  Buckner,  as  upon  a  battlement,  utterly  inaccessible  save  by 
one  steep,  narrow  way,  commanded  by  their  guns.  A  thousand  men 
could  hold  it  against  a  host.  And  right  in  front  of  this  bold  abutment 
of  the  ridge,  is  a  broad,  clear  field,  skirted  by  woods.  Across  this  tre 
mendous  threshold  up  to  death's  door,  moved  Sherman's  column.  Twice 
it  advanced,  and  twice  I  saw  it  swept  back  in  bleeding  lines  before  the 
furnace  blast,  until  that  russet  field  seemed  some  strange  page  ruled 
thick  with  blue  and  red.  Bright  valor  was  in  vain  ;  they  lacked  the 
ground  to  stand  on;  they  wanted,  like  the  giant  of  old  story,  a  touch 
of  earth  to  make  them  strong.  It  was  the  devil's  own  corner.  Before 
them  was  a  lane,  whose  upper  end  the  rebel  cannon  swallowed.  Mov 
ing  by  the  right  flank,  nature  opposed  them  with  precipitous  heights. 
There  was  nothing  for  it  but  straight  across  the  field,  swept  by  an  enfi 
lading  fire,  and  up  to  the  lane,  down  which  drove  the  storm.  They 
could  unfold  no  broad  front,  and  so  the  losses  were  less  than  seven 
hundred,  that  must  otherwise  have  swelled  to  thousands.  The  musketry 
fire  was  delivered  with  terrible  emphasis ;  two  dwellings,  in  one  of  which 
Federal  wounded  men  were  lying,  set  on  fire  by  the  rebels,  began  to 
send  up  tall  columns  of  smoke,  streaked  red  with  fire ;  the  grand  and 
the  terrible  were  blended. 

If  Sherman  did  not  attain  the  height  and  roll  the  enemy  along  the 
Ridge  like  a  carpet,  at  least  he  rendered  splendid  services,  for  he  had  a 


398  GENERAL    GRANT 

huge  ganglion  of  rebels  as  firmly  on  their  right  as  if  he  held  them  in  the 
vise  of  the  "  lame  Lemnian,"  who  forged  the  thunderbolts. 

*  *  *  *  * 

The  brief  November  afternoon  was  half  gone ;  it  was  yet  thundering 
on  the  left ;  along  the  centre  all  was  still.  At  that  very  hour  a  fierce 
assault  was  made  upon  the  enemy's  left  near  Rossville,  four  miles  down 
towards  the  old  field  of  Chickamauga,  They  carried  the  Ridge  ;  Mission 
Ridge  seems  everywhere — they  strewed  its  summit  with  rebel  dead; 
they  held  it.  And  thus  the  tips  of  the  Federal  army's  wide-spread 
wings  flapped  grandly.  But  it  had  not  swooped;  the  gray  quarry  yet 
perched  upon  Mission  Ridge ;  the  rebel  army  was  terribly  battered  at 
the  edges,  but  there  full  in  our  front  it  grimly  waited,  biding  out  its 
time-.  If  the  horns  of  the  rebel  crescent  could  not  be  doubled  crushingly 
together,  in  a  shapeless  mass,  possibly  it  might  be  sundered  at  its  cen 
tre,  and  tumbled  in  fragments  over  the  other  side  of  Mission  Ridge. 
Sherman  was  halted  upon  the  left ;  Hooker  was  holding  hard  in  Chat 
tanooga  Yalley ;  the  Fourth  Corps,  that  rounded  out  our  centre,  grew  im 
patient  of  restraint;  the  day  was  waning;  but  little  time  remained  to 
complete  the  Commanding  General's  grand  design ;  Gordon  Granger's 
hour  had  come  ;  his  work  was  full  before  him. 

And  what  a  work  that  was  to  make  a  weak  man  falter  and  a  brave 
man  think  1  One  and  a  half  miles  to  traverse,  with  narrow  fringes  of 
woods,  rough  valleys,  sweeps  of  open  field,  rocky  acclivities,  to  the  base 
of  the  ridge,  and  no  foot  in  all  the  breadth  withdrawn  from  rebel  sight  ; 
no  foot  that  could  not  be  played  upon  by  rebel  cannon,  like  a  piano's 
keys,  under  Thalberg's  stormy  fingers.  The  base  attained,  what  then  ? 
A  heavy  rebel  work,  packed  with  the  enemy,  rimming  it  like  a  battlement. 
That  work  carried,  and  what  then  ?  A  hill,  struggling  up  out  of  the 
valley,  four  hundred  feet,  rained  on  by  bullets,  swept  by  shot  and  shell  ; 
another  line  of  works,  and  then,  up  like  a  Gothic  roof,  rough  with  rocks, 
a  wreck  with  fallen  trees,  four  hundred  more;  another  ring  of  fire  and 
iron,  and  then  the  crest,  and  then  the  enemy. 

To  dream  of  such  a  journey  would  be  madness ;  to  devise  it  a  thing 
incredible ;  to  do  it  a  deed  impossible.  Bat  Grant  was  guilty  of  them  all, 
and  Granger  was  equal  to  the  work.  The  story  of  the  battle  of  Mission 
Ridge  is  struck  with  immortality  already ;  let  the  leader  of  the  Fourth 
Corps  bear  it  company. 

That  the  centre  yet  lies  along  its  silent  line  is  still  true  ;  in  five  min 
utes  it  will  be  the  wildest  fiction.  Let  us  take  that  little  breath  of  grace 
for  just  one  glance  at  the  surroundings,  since  we  shall  have  neither 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  399 

heart  nor  eyes  for  it  again.  Did  ever  battle  have  so  vast  a  cloud  of  wit 
nesses?  The  hive-shaped  hills  have  swarmed.  Clustered  like  bees, 
blackening  the  house-tops,  lining  the  fortifications,  over  yonder  across 
the  theatre,  in  the  seats  with  the  Catilines,  everywhere,  are  a  hundred 
thousand  beholders.  Their  souls  are  in  their  eyes.  Not  a  murmur  can 
you  hear.  It  is  the  most  solemn  congregation  that  ever  stood  up  iu  the 
presence  of  the  God  of  battles.  I  think  of  Bunker  Hill,  as  I  stand 
here;  of  the  thousands  who  witnessed  the  immortal  struggle ;  and  fancy 
there  is  a  parallel.  I  think,  too,  that  the  chair  of  every  man  of  them 
will  stand  vacant  against  the  wall  to-morrow,  and  that  around  the  fire 
side  they  must  give  thanks  without  him,  if  they  can. 

At  half-past  three,  a  group  of  generals,  whose  names  will  need  no 
"  Old  Mortality"  to  chisel  them  anew,  stood  upon  Orchard  Knob.  The 
hero  of  Yicksburg  was  there,  calm,  clear,  persistent,  far-seeing. 
Thomas,  the  sterling  and  sturdy;  Meigs,  Hunter,  Granger,  Reynolds. 
Clusters  of  humbler  mortals  were  there,  too,  but  it  was  any  thing  but  a 
turbulent  crowd  ;  the  voice  naturally  fell  into  a  subdued  tone,  and  even 
young  faces  took  on  the  gravity  of  later  years.  Generals  Grant,  Thomas, 
and  Granger  conferred,  an  order  was  given,  and  in  an  instant  the  Knob  icas 
cleared  like  a  ship's  deck  for  action.  At  twenty  minutes  of  four,  Granger 
stood  upon  the  parapet ;  the  bugle  swung  idle  at  the  bugler's  side,  the 
warbling  fife  and  the  grumbling  drum  unheard: — there  was  to  be  louder 
talk — six  guns  at  intervals  of  two  seconds,  the  signal  to  advance. 
Strong  and  steady  his  voice  rang  out :  "  Number  one,  fire  !  Number 
two,  fire!  Number  three,  fire!"  it  seemed  to  me  the  tolling  of  the  clock 
of  destiny — and  when  at  "  Number  six,  fire !"  the  roar  throbbed  out 
with  the  flash,  you  should  have  seen  the  dead  line  that  had  been  lying 
behind  the  works  all  day,  ah1  night,  all  day  again,  come  to  resurrection 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye — leap  like  a  blade  from  its  scabbard,  and 
sweep  with  a  two-mile  stroke  towards  the  ridge.  From  divisions  to 
brigades,  from  brigades  to  regiments,  the  order  ran.  A  minute,  and  the 
skirmishers  deploy ;  a  minute,  and  the  first  great  drops  begin  to  patter 
along  the  line;  a  minute,  and  the  musketry  is  in  full  play  like  the  crack 
ling  whips  of  a  hemlock  fire  ;  men  go  down  here  and  there,  before  your 
eyes ;  the  wind  lifts  the  smoke  and  drifts  it  away  over  the  top  of  tha 
ridge  ;  every  thing  is  too  distinct ;  it  is  fairly  palpable ;  you  can  touch  it 
with  your  hand.  The  divisions  of  Wood  and  Sheridan  are  wading 
breast  deep  in  the  valley  of  death. 

I  never  can  tell  you  what  it  was  like.  They  pushed  out,  leaving  nothing 
behind  them.  There  was  no  reservation  in  that  battle.  On  moves  the- 


400  GENERAL    GRANT 

0 

line  of  skirmishers,  like  a  heavy  frown,  and  after  it,  at  quick  time,  the 
splendid  columns.  At  right  of  us  and  left  of  us  and  front  of  us,  you 
can  see  the  bayonets  glitter  in  the  sun.  You  cannot  persuade  j'ourself 
that  Bragg  was  wrong,  a  day  or  two  ago,  when,  seeing  Hooker  moving 
in,  ho  said,  "  Now  we  shall  have  a  Potomac  review ;"  that  this  is  not  the 
parade  he  prophesied ;  that  it  is  of  a  truth  the  harvest  of  death  to 
which  they  go  down.  And  so  through  the  fringe  of  woods  went  the 
line.  Now,  out  into  the  open  ground  they  burst  at  the  double-quick. 
Shall  I  call  it  a  Sabbath  day's  journey,  or  a  long  one  and  a  half  mile  ? 
To  me  that  watched,  it  seemed  endless  as  eternity,  and  yet  they  made 
it  in  thirty  minutes.  The  tempest  that  now  broke  upon  their  heads 
was  terrible.  The  enemy's  fire  burst  out  of  the  rifle-pits  from  base  to 
summit  of  Mission  Ridge ;  five  rebel  batteries  of  Parrotts  and  Napoleons 
opened  along  the  crest.  Grape  and  canister  and  shot  and  shell  sowed 
the  ground  with  rugged  iron  and  garnished  it  with  the  wounded  and 
the  dead.  But  steady  and  strong  our  columns  moved  on. 

"By  heaven !  It  was  a  splendid  sight  to  see, 
For  one  who  had  no  friend,  110  brother  there ;" 

but  to  all  loyal  hearts,  alas  1  and  thank  God,  those  men  were  friend  and 
brother,  both  in  one. 

And  over  their  heads  as  they  went,  Forts  Wood  and  Negley  struck 
straight  out  like  mighty  pugilists  right  and  left,  raining  their  iron 
blows  upon  the  Ridge  from  base  to  crest ;  Forts  Palmer  and  King  took 
up  the  quarrel,  and  Moccasin  Point  cracked  its  fiery  whips  and  lashed 
the  rebel  left  till  the  wolf  cowered  in  its  corner  with  a  growl.  Bridges's 
battery,  from  Orchard  Knob  below,  thrust  its  ponderous  fists  in  the  face 
of  the  enemy,  and  planted  blows  at  will.  Our  artillery  was  doing  splen 
did  service.  It  laid  its  shot  and  shell  wherever  it  pleased.  Had  giants 
carried  them  by  hand  they  could  hardly  have  been  more  accurate.  All 
along  the  mountain's  side,  in  the  rebel  rifle-pits,  on  the  crest,  they  fair 
ly  dotted  the  Ridge.  General  Granger  leaped  down,  sighted  a  gun* 
and  in  a  moment,  right  in  front,  a  great  volume  of  smoke,  like  "  the 
cloud  by  day,"  lifted  off  the  summit  from  among  the  rebel  batteries,  and 
hung  motionless,  kindling  in  the  sun.  The  shot  had  struck  a  caisson 
and  that  was  its  dying  breath.  In  five  minutes  away  floated  another. 
A  shell  went  crashing  through  a  building  in  the  cluster  that  marked 
Bragg's  head-quarters;  a  second  killed  the  skeleton  horses  of  a  battery 
at  his  elbow,  a  third  scattered  a  gray  mass  as  if  it  had  been  a  wasp's 
nest. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS  401 

And  all  the  while  our  lines  were  moving  on;  they  had  burned 
through  the  woods  and  swept  over  the  rough  and  rolling  ground  like  a 
prairie-fire.  Never  halting,  never  faltering,  they  charged  up  to  the  first 
rifle-pits  with  a  cheer,  forked  out  the  rebels  with  their  bayonets,  aud 
lay  there  panting  for  breath.  If  the  thunder  of  guns  had  been  terrible, 
it  was  now  growing  sublime ;  it  was  like  the  footfall  of  God  on  the 
ledges  of  cloud.  Our  forts  and  batteries  still  thrust  out  their  mighty 
arms  across  the  valley ;  the  rebel  guns  that  lined  the  arc  of  the  crest 
full  in  our  front,  opened  like  the  fan  of  Lucifer,  and  converged  their 
fire  down  upon  Baird  and  Wood  and  Sheridan.  It  was  rifles  and  mus 
ketry;  it  was  grape  and  canister;  it  was  shell  and  schrapnel.  Mis 
sion  Ridge  was  volcanic ;  a  thousand  torrents  of  red  poured  over  its 
brink  and  rushed  together  to  its  base.  And  our  men  were  there,  halt 
ing  for  breath !  And  still  the  sublime  diapason  rolled  on.  Echoes  that 
never  waked  before,  roared  out  from  height  to  height,  and  called  from 
the  far  ranges  of  Waldron's  Ridge  to  Lookout.  As  for  Mission  Ridge, 
it  had  jarred  to  such  music  before ;  it  was  the  il  sounding-board"  of 
Chickamauga ;  it  was  behind  us  then ;  it  frowns  and  flashes  in  our  faces 
to-day ;  the  old  army  of  the  Cumberland  was  there ;  it  breasted  the 
storm  till  the  storm  was  spent,  and  left  the  ground  it  held;  the 
old  army  of  the  Cumberland  is  here!  It  shall  roll  up  the  Ridge  like  a 
surge  to  its  summit,  and  sweep  triumphant  down  the  other  side.  Be 
lieve  me,  that  memory  and  hope  may  have  made  the  heart  of  many  a 
blue-coat  beat  like  a  drum.  "Beat,"  did  I  say?  The  feverish  heart  of 
the  battle  beats  on ;  fifty  -eight  guns  a  minute,  by  the  watch,  is  the  rate 
of  its  terrible  throbbing.  That  hill,  if  you  climb  it,  will  appal  you. 
Furrowed  like  a  summer-fallow,  bullets  as  if  an  oak  had  shed  them ; 
trees  clipped  and  shorn,  leaf  and  limb,  as  with  the  knife  of  some  heroic 
gardener  pruning  back  for  richer  fruit.  How  you  attain  the  summit, 
weary  and  breathless,  I  wait  to  hear ;  how  they  went  up  in  the  teeth  of 
the  storm  no  man  can  tell ! 

And  all  the  while  rebel  prisoners  have  been  streaming  out  from  the 
rear  of  our  lines  like  the  tails  of  a  cloud  of  kites.  Captured  and  dis 
armed,  they  needed  nobody  to  set  them  going.  The  fire  of  their  own 
comrades  was  like  spurs  in  a  horse's  flanks,  and  amid  the  tempest  of 
their  own  brewing  they  ran  for  dear  life,  until  they  dropped  like  quails 
into  the  Federal  rifle-pits  aud  were  safe.  But  our  gallant  legions  are 
out  in  the  storm ;  they  have  carried  the  works  at  the  base  of  the  Ridge ; 
they  have  fallen  like  leaves  in  winter  weather.  Blow,  dumb  bugles ! 

Sound  the  recall  I     "Take  the  rifle-pit,"  was  the  order;  and  it  is  as 


402  GENERAL    GRANT 

empty  of  rebels  as  the  tomb  of  the  prophets.  Shall  they  turn  their 
backs  to  the  blast?  Shall  they  sit  down  under  the  eaves  of  that  drip 
ping  iron?  Or  shall  they  climb  to  the  cloud  of  death  above  them,  and 
pluck  out  its  lightnings  as  they  would  straws  from  a  sheaf  of  wheat  ? 
But  the  order  was  not  given.  And  now  the  arc  of  fire  on  the  crest 
grows  fiercer  and  longer.  The  reconnoissance  of  Monday  had  failed  to 
develop  the  heavy  metal  of  the  enemy.  The  dull  fringe  of  the  hill  kin 
dles  with  the  flash  of  great  guns.  I  count  the  fleeces  of  white  smoke 
that  dot  the  Ridge,  as  battery  after  battery  opens  upon  our  line,  until 
from  the  ends  of  the  growing  arc  they  sweep  down  upon  it  in  mighty 
X's  of  fire.  I  count  till  that  devil's  girdle  numbers  thirteen  batteries, 
and  my  heart  cries  out,  "Great  God,  when  shall  the  end  be!"  There 
is  a  poem  I  learned  in  childhood,  and  so  did  you:  it  is  Campbell's 
"  Hohenlinden."  One  line  I  never  knew  the  meaning  of  until  I  read  it 
written  along  that  hill  I  It  has  lighted  up  the  whole  poem  for  me  with, 
the  glow  of  battle  forever : 

"  And  longer  than  the  bolts  of  heaven, 
Far  flashed  the  red  artillery." 

At  this  moment  General  Granger's  aids  are  dashing  out  with  an 
order;  they  radiate  over  the  field,  to  left,  right,  and  front;  "Take  the 
Ridge  if  you  can" — "Take  the  Ridge  if  you  can" — and  so  it  went  along 
the  line.  But  the  advance  had  already  set  forth  without  it.  Stout 
hearted  "Wood,  the  iron-gray  veteran,  is  rallying  on  his  men ;  stormy 
Turchin  is  delivering  brave  words  in  bad  English:  Sheridan — "little 
Phil" — you  may  easily  look  down  upon  him  without  climbing  a  tree, 
and  see  one  of  the  most  gallant  leaders  of  the  age  if  you  do — is  riding 
to  and  fro  along  the  first  line  of  rifle-pits,  as  calmly  as  a  chess-player. 
An  aid  rides  up  with  the  order.  "  Avery,  that  flask,"  said  the  General. 
Quietly  filling  the  pewter  cup,  Sheridan  looks  up  at  the  battery  that 
frowns  above  him,  by  Bragg's  head-quarters,  shakes  his  cap  amid  that 
storm  of  every  thing  that  kills,  when  you  could  hardly  hold  your  hand 
without  catching  a  bullet  in  it,  and  with  a  "how  are  you  ?"  tosses  off  the 
cup.  The  blue  battle-flag  of  the  rebels  fluttered  a  response  to  the  cool 
salute,  and  the  next  instant  the  battery  let  fly  its  six  guns,  showering 
Sheridan  with  earth.  Alluding  to  that  compliment  with  any  thing  but 
a  blank  cartridge,  the  General  said  to  me  in  his  quiet  way,  "  I  thought 

it ungenerous!"     The  recording  angel  will  drop  a  tear  upon  the 

word  for  the  part  he  played  that  day.  Wheeling  towards  the  men,  he 
cheered  them  to  the  charge,  and  made  at  the  hill  like  a  bold-riding  nun- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  403 

ter ;  they  were  out  of  the  rifle-pits  and  into  the  tempest  and  struggling 
up  the  steep,  before  you  could  get  breath  to  tell  it,  and  so  they  were 
throughout  the  inspired  line. 

And  now  you  have  before  you  one  of  the  most  startling  episodes  of 
the  war ;  I  cannot  render  it  in  words ;  dictionaries  are  beggarly  things. 
But  I  may  tell  you  they  did  not  storm  that  mountain  as  you  would 
think.  They  dash  out  a  little  way,  and  then  slacken ;  they  creep  up, 
hand  over  hand,  loading  and  firing,  and  wavering  and  halting,  from  the 
first  line  of  works  to  the  second ;  they  burst  into  a  charge  with  a 
cheer,  and  go  over  it.  Sheets  of  flame  baptize  them ;  plunging  shot 
tear  away  comrades  on  left  and  right ;  it  is  no  longer  shoulder  to  shoul 
der  ;  it  is  GOD  for  us  all !  Under  tree-trunks,  among  rocks,  stumbling 
over  the  dead,  struggling  with  the  living,  facing  the  steady  fire  of 
eight  thousand  infantry  poured  down  upon  their  heads  as  if  it  were  the 
old  historic  curse  from  heaven,  they  wrestle' with  the  Ridge.  Ten,  fif 
teen,  twenty  minutes  go  by  like  a  reluctant  century.  The  batteries  roll 
like  a  drum ;  between  the  second  and  last  lines  of  rebel  works  is  the 
torrid  zone  of  the  battle  ;  the  hill  sways  up  like  a  wall  before  them  at 
an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees,  but  our  brave  mountaineers  are  clamber 
ing  steadily  on — up — upward  still !  You  may  think  it  strange,  but  I 
would  not  have  recalled  them  if  I  could.  They  would  have  lifted  you, 
as  they  did  me,  in  full  view  of  the  heroic  grandeur :  they  seemed  to  be 
spurning  the  dull  earth  under  their  feet,  and  going  up  to  do  Homeric 
battle  with  the  greater  gods. 

And  what  do  those  men  follow  ?  If  you  look  you  shall  see  that  the 
thirteen  thousand  are  not  a  rushing  herd  of  human  creatures ;  that 
along  the  Gothic  roof  of  the  Ridge  a  row  of  inverted  V's  is  slowly  mov 
ing  up  almost  in  line,  a  mighty  lettering  on  the  hill's  broad  side.  At 
the  angles  of  those  V's  is  something  that  glitters  like  a  wing.  Your 
heart  gives  a  great  bound  when  you  think  what  it  is — the  regimental 
flag — and  glancing  along  the  front  count  fifteen  of  those  colors  that 
,vere  borne  at  Pea  Ridge,  waved  at  Shiloh,  glorified  at  Stone  River, 
riddled  at  Chickamauga.  Nobler  than  Cassar's  rent  mantle  are  they 
all !  And  up  move  the  banners,  now  fluttering  like  a  wounded  bird, 
now  faltering,  now  sinking  out  of  sight.  Three  times  the  flag  of  one 
regiment  goes  down.  And  you  know  why.  Three  dead  color-ser 
geants  lie  just  there,  but  the  flag  is  immortal — thank  God !— and  up  it 
comes  again,  and  the  V's  move  on.  At  the  left  of  Wood,  three  regi 
ments  of  Baird — Turchin,  the  Russian  thunderbolt,  is  there — hurl 
themselves  against  a  bold  point  strong  with  rebel  works ,  for  a  long 


404  GENERAL   GRANT 

quarter  of  an  hour  three  flags  are  perched  and  motionless  on  a  plateau 
under  the  frown  of  the  hill.  Will  they  linger  forever  ?  I  give  a  look 
at  the  sun  behind  me ;  it  is  not  more  than  a  hand's  breadth  from  the 
edge  of  the  mountain ;  its  level  rays  bridge  the  valley  from  Chatta 
nooga  to  the  Ridge  with  beams  of  gold  ;  it  shines  in  the  rebel  faces ;  it 
brings  out  the  Federal  blue;  it  touches  up  the  flags.  Oh,  for  the  voice 
that  could  bid  that  sun  stand  still  I  I  turn  to  the  battle  again ;  those 
three  flags  have  taken  flight  1  They  are  upward  bound. 

The  race  of  the  flags  is  growing  every  moment  more  terrible.  There 
at  the  right,  a  strange  thmg  catches  the  eye ;  one  of  the  inverted  V's 
is  turning  right  side  up.  The  men  struggling  along  the  converging 
lines  to  overtake  the  flag  have  distanced  it,  and  there  the  colors  are, 
sinking  down  in  the  centre  between  the  rising  flanks.  The  line  wavers 
like  a  great  billow  and  up  comes  the  banner  again,  as  if  heaved  on  a 
surge's  shoulder.  The  iron  sledges  beat  on.  Hearts,  loyal  and  brave, 
are  on  the  anvil,  all  the  way  from  base  to  summit  of  Mission  Hidge, 
but  those  dreadful  hammers  never  intermit.  Swarms  of  bullets  sweep 
the  hill ;  you  can  count  twenty-eight  balls  in  one  little  tree.  Things 
are  growing  desperate  up  aloft;  the  rebels  tumble  rocks  upon  the 
rising  line  ;  they  light  the  fuses  and  roll  shells  down  the  steep  ;  they 
load  the  guns  with  handfuls  of  cartridges  in  their  haste ;  and  as  if 
there  were  powder  in  the  word,  they  shout  "  Chickamauga  P  down 
upon  the  mountaineers.  But  it  would  not  all  do,  and  just  as  the  sun, 
weary  of  the  scene,  was  sinking  out  of  sight,  with  magnificent  bursts  all 
along  the  line,  exactly  as  you  have  seen  the  crested  seas  leap  up  at 
the  breakwater,  the  advance  surged  over  the  crest,  and  in  a  minute  those 
flags  fluttered  along  the  fringe  where  fifty  rebel  guns  were  kenneled. 
GOD  bless  the  flag !  GOD  save  the  Union  ! 

What  colors  were  first  upon  the  mountain  battlement  I  dare  not  try 
to  say  ;  bright  honor  itself  may  be  proud  to  bear — nay,  proud  to  follow 
the  hindmost.  Foot  by  foot  they  had  fought  up  the  steep,  slippery 
with  much  blood ;  let  them  go  to  glory  together.  A  minute  and  they 
were  all  there,  fluttering  along  the  Ridge  from  left  to  right.  The  rebel 
hordes  rolled  off  to  the  north,  rolled  off  to  the  east,  like  the  clouds  of  a 
worn-out  storm.  Bragg,  ten  minutes  before,  was  putting  men  back  in 
the  rifle-pits.  His  gallant  gray  was  straining  a  nerve  for  him  now, 
and  the  man  rode  on  horseback  into  Dixie's  bosom,  who,  arrayed  in 
some  prophet's  discarded  mantle,  foretold  on  Monday  that  the  Yankees 
would  leave  Chattanooga  in  five  days.  They  lei't  in  three,  and  by  way 
of  Mission  Ridge,  straight  over  the  mountains  as  their  forefathers 


A3TD     HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  405 

went  1  As  Sheridan  rode  up  to  the  guns,  the  heels  of  Breckinridge's 
horse  glittered  in  the  last  rays  of  sunshine.  That  crest  was  hardly 
"well  off  with  the  old  love  before  it  was  on  with  the  new." 

But  the  scene  on  the  narrow  plateau  can  never  be  painted.  As  the 
blue  coats  surged  over  its  edge,  cheer  on  cheer  rang  like  bells  through 
the  valley  of  the  Chickaraauga.  Men  flung  themselves  exhausted  upon 
the  ground.  They  laughed  and  wept,  shook  hands,  embraced ;  turned 
round  and  did  all  four  over  again.  It  was  as  wild  as  a  carnival 
Granger  was  received  with  a  shout.  "  Soldiers,"  he  said,  "you  ought  to 
be  court-martialed  every  man  of  you.  I  ordered  you  to  take  the  rifle- 
pits  aud  you  scaled  the  mountain!"  but  it  was  not  Mars's  horrid  front 
exactly  with  which  he  said  it,  for  his  cheeks  were  wet  with  tears  as 
honest  as  the  blood  that  reddened  all  the  route.  Wood  uttered  words 
that  rang  like  "Napoleon's,"  and  Sheridan,  the  rowels  at  his  horse's 
flanks,  was  ready  for  a  dash  down  the  Ridge  with  a  "view  halloo,"  for 
a  fox  hunt. 

But  you  must  not  think  this  was  all  there  was  of  the  scene  on  the 
crest,  for  fight  and  frolic  was  strangely  mingled.  Not  a  rebel  had 
dreamed  a  man  of  us  all  would  live  to  reach  the  summit,  and  when  a 
little  wave  of  the  Federal  cheer  rolled  up  and  broke  over  the  crest, 
they  defiantly  cried  "  Hurrah  and  be  damned  P  the  next  minute  a  Union 
regiment  followed  the  voice,  the  rebels  delivered  their  fire,  and  tum 
bled  down  in  the  rifle-pits,  their  faces  distorted  with  fear.  No  sooner 
had  the  soldiers  scrambled  to  the  Ridge  and  straightened  themselves, 
than  up  muskets  and  away  they  blazed.  One  of  them,  fairly  beside 
himself  between  laughing  and  crying,  seemed  puzzled  at  which  end  of 
his  piece  he  should  load,  and  so  abandoning  the  gun  and  the  problem 
together,  he  made  a  catapult  of  himself  and  fell  to  hurling  stones  after 
the  enemy.  And  he  said,  as  he  threw — well,  you  know  our  "  army 
swore  terribly  in  Flanders."  Bayonets  glinted  and  muskets  rattled. 
Gen.  Sheridan's  horse  was  killed  under  him ;  Richard  was  not  in  his 
role,  and  so  he  leaped  upon  a  rebel  gun  for  want  of  another.  Rebel 
artillerists  are  driven  from  their  batteries  at  the  edge  of  the  sword  and 
the  point  of  the  bayonet ;  two  rebel  guns  are  swung  around  upon  their 
old  masters.  But  there  is  nobody  to  load  them.  Light  and  heavy  ar 
tillery  do  not  belong  to  the  winged  kingdom.  Two  infantry  men 
claiming  to  be  old  artillerists,  volunteer.  Granger  turns  captain  of  the 
guns,  and — right  about  wheel ! — in  a  moment  they  are  growling  after 
the  flying  enemy.  I  say  "  flying,"  but  that  is  figurative.  The  many 
run  like  Spanish  merinos,  but  the  few  fight  like  gray  wolves  at  bay ; 


406  GEXEKAL    GRANT 

they  load  and  fire  as  they  retreat;   they  are  fairly  scorched  out  of 
position. 

A  sharpshooter,  fancying  Granger  to  be  worth  the  powder,  coolly 
tries  his  hand  at  him.  The  General  hears  the  zip  of  a  ball  at  one  ear, 
but  doesn't  mind  it.  In  a  minute  away  it  sings  at  the  other.  He  takes 
the  hint,  sweeps  with  his  glass  the  direction  whence  the  couple  came, 
and  brings  up  the  marksman,  just  drawing  a  bead  upon  him  again. 
At  that  instant  a  Federal  argument  persuades  the  cool  hunter  and  down 
he  goes.  That  long  range  gun  of  his  was  captured,  weighed  twenty- 
four  pounds,  was  telescope-mounted,  a  sort  of  mongrel  howitzer. 

A  colonel  is  slashing  away  with  his  sabre  in  a  ring  of  rebels.  Down 
goes  his  horse  under  him  ;  they  have  him  on  the  hip ;  one  of  them  is 
taking  deliberate  aim,  when  up  rushes  a  lieutenant,  claps  a  pistol  to  one 
ear  and  roars  in  at  the  other,  "  Who  the  h — 1  are  you  shooting  at?" 
The  fellow  drops  his  piece,  gasps  out,  "  I  surrender,"  .and  the  next  instant 
the  gallant  lieutenant  falls  sharply  wounded.  He  is  a  "  roll  of  honor  " 
officer,  straight  up  from  the  ranks,  and  he  honors  the  roll. 

A  little  German  in  "Wood's  Division  is  pierced  like  the  lid  of  a  pepper 
box,  but  he  is  neither  dead  nor  wounded.  "  See  here,"  he  says,  rush 
ing  up  to  a  comrade,  "  a  pullet  hit  te  preach  of  mine  gun,  a  pullet  in 
miue  pocket-book — a  pullet  in  mine  coat  tail — they  shoots  me  tree,  five 
time,  and  py  dam  I  gives  dem  h — 1  yetl" 

But  I  can  render  you  no  idea  of  the  battle  caldron  that  boiled  on  the 
plateau.  An  incident  here  and  there,  I  have  given  you,  and  you  must 
fill  out  the  picture  for  yourself.  Dead  rebels  lay  thick  around  Bragg's 
head-quarters  and  along  the  Ridge.  Scabbards,  broken  arms,  artillery 
horses,  wrecks  of  gun-carriages,  and  bloody  garments,  strewed  the 
scene ;  and,  tread  lightly,  oh  1  loyal-hearted,  the  boys  in  blue  are  lying 
there ;  no  more  the  sounding  charge ,  no  more  the  brave,  wild  cheer, 
and  never  for  them,  sweet  as  the  breath  of  the  new-mown  hay  in  the 
old  home  fields,  "  The  Soldier's  Return  from  the  War."  A  little  waif 
of  a  drummer-boy,  somehow  drifted  up  the  mountain  in  the  surge,  lies 
there;  his  pale  face  upward,  a  blue  spot  on  his  breast.  Muffle  his 
drum  for  the  poor  child  and  his  mother. 

Our  troops  met  one  loyal  welcome  on  the  height.  How  the  old 
Tennesseean  that  gave  it  managed  to  get  there  nobody  knows,  but  there 
he  was,  grasping  a  colonel's  hand,  aud  saying,  while  the  tears  ran  down 
his  face,  "  GOD  be  thanked !  I  knew  the  Yankees  would  fight  I"  With 
the  receding  flight  and  swift  pursuit  the  battle  died  away  in  murmurs, 
far  down  the  valley  of  the  Chickamauga ;  Sheridan  was  again  in  the 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  40 7 

saddle,  and  with  his  command  spurring  on  after  the  enemy.  Tall 
columns  of  smoke  were  rising  at  the  left.  The  rebels  were  burning  a 
train  of  stores  a  mile  long.  In  the  exploding  rebel  caissons  we  had 
"  the  cloud  by  day,"  and  now  we  are  having  "  the  pillar  of  fire  by  night." 
The  sun,  the  golden  dish  of  the  scales  that  balance  day  and  night,  had 
hardly  gone  down,  when  up,  beyond  Mission  Ridge,  rose  the  silver  side, 
for  that  night  it  was  full  moon.  The  troubled  day  was  done.  A  Fed 
eral  General  sat  in  the  seat  of  the  man  who,  on  the  very  Saturday  before  the 
battle,  had  sent  a  flag  to  the  Federal  lines  with  the  words  : 

"Humanity  would  dictate  the  removal  of  all  non-combatants  from 
Chattanooga,  as  I  am  about  to  shell  the  city !" 

Sat  there,  and  announced  to  the  Fourth  Corps  the  congratulations  and 
thanks,  just  placed  in  his  hands,  from  the  commander  of  the  depart 
ment: 

BRAGG'S  HEAD-QUARTERS,  MISSION  RIDGE,  [ 
November  25,  1863.  ) 

In  conveying  to  you  this  distinguished  recognition  of  your  signal  gal 
lantry  in  carrying,  through  a  terrible  storm  of  iron,  a  mountain  crowned 
with  batteries  and  enriched  with  rifle-pits,  I  am  constrained  to  express 
my  own  admiration  of  your  noble  conduct,  and  am  proud  to  tell  you 
that  the  veteran  Generals  from  other  fields,  who  witnessed  your  heroic 
bearing,  place  your  assault  and  triumph  among  the  most  brilliant 
achievements  of  the  war.  Thanks,  soldiers  !  You  have  made,  this  day, 
a  glorious  page  of  history. 

GORDON  GRANGER. 

There  was  a  species  of  poetic  justice  in  it  all,  that  would  have  made 
the  prince  of  dramatists  content.  The  ardor  of  the  men  had  been 
quenchless :  there  had  been  three  days  of  fitful  fever,  and  after  it,  alas ! 
a  multitude  had  slept  well.  The  work  on  the  right,  left,  and  centre, 
cost  us  full  four  thousand  killed  and  wounded.  There  is  a  tremble  of 
the  lip,  but  a  flash  of  pride  in  the  eye,  as  the  soldier  tells  with  how 
many  he  went  in — how  expressive  that  "went  in!"  Qf  a  truth  it  was 
wading  in  deep  waters — with  how  few  we  came  out.  I  cannot  try  to 
swing  the  burden  clear  of  any  heart,  by  throwing  into  the  scale  upon  tho 
other  side  the  dead  weight  of  fifty-two  pieces  of  captured  artillery,  ten 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  and  heaps  of  dead  rebels,  or  by  driving  upon 
a  herd  of  seven  thousand  prisoners.  Nothing  of  all  this  can  lighten 
that  burden  a  single  ounce,  but  this  thought  may,  and  I  dare  to  utter  it : 
Those  three  days'  work  brought  Tennessee  to  resurrection ;  set  the  flag, 


408  GENERAL    GRANT 

that  fairest  blossom  in  all  this  flowery  world,  to  blooming  in  its  native 
soil  once  more. 

That  splendid  march  from  the  Federal  line  of  battle  to  the  crest,  was 
made  in  one  hour  and  five  minutes,  but  it  was  a  grander  march  towards 
the  end  of  rebeldom ;  a  glorious  campaign  of  sixty-five  minutes  towards 
.*  the  white  borders  of  peace.  It  made  that  fleeting  November  afternoon 
imperishable.  Than  the  assault  upon  Mission  Ridge,  I  know  of  nothing 
more  gallant  in  the  annals  of  the  war.  Let  it  rank  foremost  with  the 
storming  of  Fort  Scharnitz  and  Alma,  that  covered  the  French  arms 
with  undying  fame. 

Header  and  writer  must  walk  together  down  the  heights  another  day ; 
press  that  rugged  earth  with  the  first  backward  step  a  loyal  foot  has 
made  upon  it,  and  as  we  linger,  recall  a  few  of  the  incidents  that  will 
render  it  historic  and  holy  ground  for  coming  time.  Let  the  struggle 
be  known  as  the  Battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  and  when,  in  calmer  days, 
men  make  pilgrimage,  and  women  smile  again  among  the  mountains  of 
the  Cumberland,  they  will  need  no  guide.  Rust  will  have  eaten  the 
guns;  the  graves  of  the  heroes  will  have  subsided  like  waves;  weary  of 
their  troubling,  the  soldier  and  his  leader  will  have  lain  down  together ; 
but  there,  embossed  upon  the  globe,  MISSION  KIDGE  will  stand  its  fitting 
monument  forever.* 

Gener  il  Grant  announced  the  victory  in  the  following 
few  but  telling  words  : 

CHATTANOOGA,  November  25,  1863. — 7.15  p.  M. 
Major-General  H.  "W.  HALLECK,  General-in- Chief : 
•  Although  the  battle  lasted  from  early  dawn  till  dark  this  evening, 
I  believe  I  am  not  premature  in  announcing  a  complete  victory  over  Bragg. 

Lookout  Mountain  top,  all  the  rifle-pits  in  Chattanooga  Valley,  and 
Missionary  Ridge  entire  have  been  carried,  and  are  now  held  by  us. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-G°,,ierai. 

The  rebel  dispatch  is  thus  worded : 

CHICKAMAUGA,  November  25,  1863. 
General  S.  COOPER,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General :   - 

After  several  unsuccessful  assaults  on  our  lines  to-day,  the  enemy 
carried  the  left  centre  about  four  o  clock.  Thewhok  left  soon  gave  way  in 
considerable  disorder.  The  right  maintained  its  ground,  and  repelled 
every  attack.  I  am  withdrawing  all  to  this  point. 

BRAXTON  BRAGG. 

*  Mr.  B.  F.Taylor's  correspondence  to  the  Chicago  Journal. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  409 


CHAPTER  LII. 

RETROSPECT    OF   THE   THREE    DAYS'    BATTLES. 

PERHAPS  no  better  retrospect  of  these  battles  could  be 
written,  than  that  which  will  be  found  in  the  following 
pithy  dispatch  from  General  Meigs,  Quartermaster-General 
of  the  United  States  Army,  who  was  present  at  Chatta 
nooga  during  the  whole  action : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  CHATTANOOGA,  Nov.  26,  1863. 
EDWIN  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War : 

SIR: — On  the  23d  instant,  at  half-past  eleven,  A.  M.,  General  Grant 
ordered  a  demonstration  against  Missionary  Ridge,  to  develop  the  force 
holding  it.  The  troops  marched  out,  formed  in  order,  and  advanced  in 
line  of  battle  as  if  on  parade. 

The  rebels  watched  the  formation  and  movement  from  their  picket 
lines  and  rifle-pits,  and  from  the  summits  of  Missionary  Ridge,  five  hun 
dred  feet  above  us,  and  thought  it  was  a  review  and  drill,  so  openly  and 
deliberately,  so  regular,  was  it  all  done. 

The  line  advanced,  preceded  by  skirmishers,  and  at  two  o'clock  p.  M. 
reached  our  picket  lines,  and  opened  a  rattling  volley  upon  the  rebel 
pickets,  who  replied  and  ran  into  their  advanced  line  of  rifle-pits.  After 
them  went  our  skirmishers  and  into  them,  along  the  centre  of  the  line 
of  25.000  troops  which  General  Thomas  had  so  quickly  displayed,  until 
we  opened  fire.  Prisoners  assert  that  they  thought  the  whole  movement 
was  a  review  and  general  drill,  and  that  it  was  too  late  to  send  to  their 
camps  for  re-enforcements,  and  that  they  were  overwhelmed  by  force  of 
numbers.  It  was  a  surprise  in  open  daylight. 

At  three  P.  M.,  the  important  advanced  position  of  Orchard  Knob  and 
the  lines  right  and  left  were  in  our  possession,  and  arrangements  were 
ordered  for  holding  them  during  the  night. 

The  next  day  at  daylight  General  Sherman  had  five  thousand  men 
across  the  Tennessee,  and  established  on  its  south  bank,  and  commenced 
the  construction  of  a  pontoon  bridge  about  six  miles  above  Chattanooga. 
18 


410  GEXEKAL   GBANT 

The  rebel  steamer  Dunbar  was  repaired  at  the  right  moment,  and  render 
ed  effective  aid  in  this  crossing,  carrying  over  six  thousand  men. 

By  nightfall  General  Sherman  had  seized  the  extremity  of  Missionary 
Ridge  nearest  the  river,  and  was  intrenching  himself.  General  Ho  ward, 
with  a  brigade,  opened  communication  with  him  from  Chattanooga  on 
the  south  side  of  the  river.  Skirmishing  and  cannonading  continued  all 
day  on  the  left  and  centre.  General  Hooker  scaled  the  slopes  of  Lookout 
Mountain,  and  from  the  valley  of  Lookout  Creek  drove  the  rebels  around 
the  point.  He  captured  some  two  thousand  prisoners,  and  established 
himself  high  up  the  mountain  side,  in  full  view  of  Chattanooga.  This 
raised  the  blockade,  and  now  steamers  were  ordered  from  Bridgeport  to 
Chattanooga.  They  had  run  only  to  Kelley's  Ferry,  whence  ten  miles 
of  hauling  over  mountain  roads  and  twice  across  the  Tennessee  on  pon 
toon  bridges  brought  us  our  supplies. 

All  night  the  point  of  Missionary  Ridge  on  the  extreme  left,  and  the 
side  of  Lookout  Mountain  on  the  extreme  right,  blazed  with  the  camp 
fires  of  loyal  troops. 

The  day  had  been  one  of  dense  mists  and  rains,  and  much  of  General 
Hooker's  battle  was  fought  above  the  clouds,  which  concealed  him  from  our 
view,  but  from  which*  his  musketry  was  heard. 

At  nightfall  the  sky  cleared  and  the  full  moon—"  the  traitor's  doom" 
— shone  upon  the  beautiful  scene,  until  one  A.  M.,  when  twinkling  spnrks 
upon  the  mountain  side  showed  that  picket  skirmishing  was  going  on. 
Then  it  ceased.  A  brigade  sent  from  Chattanooga  crossed  the  Chatta 
nooga  Creek  and  opened  communication  with  Hooker. 

General  Grant's  head-quarters  during  the  afternoon  ofthe23dand  the  day 
of  the  24tf/i  were  in  Wood's  redoui  t,  except  when  in  the  course  of  the  day  he 
rode  along  the  advanced  line,  visiting  tJie  head-quarters  of  the  several  command 
ers  in  Chattanooga  Valley. 

At  daylight  on  the  25th  the  Stars  and  Stripes  were  descried  on  the 
peak  of  Lookout.  The  rebels  had  evacuated  the  mountain. 

Hooker  moved  to  descend  the  mountain,  striking  Missionary  Ridge  at 
the  Rossville  Gap,  to  sweep  both  sides  and  its  summit. 

The  rebel  troops  were  seen,  as  soon  as  it  was  light  enough,  streaming 
regiments  and  brigades  along  the  narrow  summit  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
either  concentrating  on  the  right  to  overwhelm  Sherman,  or  marching 
for  the  railroad  to  raise  the  siege. 

They  had  evacuated  the  valley  of  Chattanooga.  Would  they  abandon 
that  of  Chickamauga? 

The  twenty-pounders  and  four-and-a-quarter  inch  rifles  of  Wood's 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  411 

redoubt  opened  on  Missionary  Eidge.  Orchard  Knob  sent  its  compli 
ments  to  the  Ridge,  which,  with  rifled  Parrotts,  answered,  and  the  can 
nonade,  thus  commenced,  continued  all  day.  Shot  and  shell  screamed 
from  Orchard  Knob  to  Missionary  Ridge,  and  from  Missionary  Ridge  to 
Orchard  Knob,  and  from  Wood's  redoubt,  over  the  heads  of  Generals  Grant 
and  Tliornas  and  their  staffs,  who  were  with  vs  in  this  favorable  position, 
from  whence  the  whole  battle  could  be  seen  as  in  an  amphitheatre.  The  head 
quarters  were  under  fire  att  day  long. 

Cannonading  and  musketry  were  heard  from  General  Sherman,  and 
General  Howard  marched  the  Eleventh  Corps  to  join  him. 

General  Thomas  sent  out  skirmishers,  who  drove  in  the  rebel  pickets 
and  chased  them  into  their  intrenchments,  and  at  the  foot  of  Missionary 
Ridge  Sherman  made  an  assault  against  Bragg's  right,  intrenched  on  a 
high  knob  next  to  that  on  which  Sherman  himself  lay  fortified.  The 
assault  was  gallantly  made. 

Sherman  reached  the  edge  of  the  crest,  and  held  his  ground  for  (it 
seemed  to  me)  an  hour,  but  was  bloodily  repulsed  by  reserves. 

A  general  advance  was  ordered,  and  a  strong  line  of  skirmishers  fol 
lowed  by  a  deployed  line  of  battle  some  two  miles  in  length.  At  the  sig 
nal  of  leaden  shots  from  head-quarters  on  Orchard  Knob,  the  line  moved 
rapidly  and  orderly  forward.  The  rebel  pickets  discharged  their  muskets 
and  ran  into  their  rifle-pits.  Our  skirmishers  followed  on  their  heels. 

The  line  of  battle  was  not  far  behind,  and  we  saw  the  gray  rebels 
swarm  out  of  the  ledge  line  of  rifle-pits  and  over  the  base  of  the  hill  in 
numbers  which  surprised  us.  A  few  turned  and  fired  their  pieces ;  but 
the  greater  number  collected  into  the  many  roads  which  cross  obliquely 
up  its  steep  face,  and  went  on  to  the  top. 

Some  regiments  pressed  on  and  swarmed  up  the  steep  sides  of  the 
Ridge,  and  here  and  there  a  color  was  advanced  beyond  the  lines.  The 
attempt  appeared  most  dangerous ;  but  the  advance  was  supported,  and 
the  whole  line  was  ordered  to  storm  the  heights,  upon  which  not  less 
than  forty  pieces  of  artillery,  and  no  one  knew  how  many  muskets,  stood 
ready  to  slaughter  the  assailants.  With  cheers  answering  to  cheers 
the  men  swarmed  upward.  They  gathered  to  the  points  least  difficult  of 
ascent,  and  the  line  was  broken.  Color  after  color  was  planted  on  the 
summit,  while  musket  and  cannon  vomited  their  thunder  upon  them. 

A  well-directed  shot  from  Orchard  Knob  exploded  a  rebel  caisson  on 
the  summit,  and  the  gun  was  seen  being  speedily  taken  to  the  right,  its 
driver  lashing  his  horses.  A  party  of  our  soldiers  intercepted  them,  and 
the  gun  was  captured,  with  cheers. 


412  GENERAL    GKA2ST 

A  fierce  musketry  fight  broke  out  to  the  left,  where,  between  Thomas 
and  Sherman,  a  mile  or  two  of  the  Ridge  was  still  occupied  by  the  rebels. 

Bragg  left  the  house  in  which  he  had  held  his  head-quarters,  and  rode 
to  the  rear  as  our  troops  crowded  the  hill  on  either  side  of  him.  • 

General  Grant  proceeded  to  the  summit,  and  then  only  did  we  know  its 
height. 

Some  of  the  captured  artillery  was  put  into  position.  Artillerists  were 
sent  for  to  work  the  guns,  and  caissons  were  searched  for  ammunition. 

The  rebel  log  breastworks  were  torn  to  pieces  and  carried  to  the 
other  Bide  of  the  Ridge,  and  used  in  forming  barricades  across. 

A  strong  line  of  infantry  was  formed  in  the  rear  of  Baird's  line,  and 
engaged  in  a  musketry  contest  with  the  rebels  to  the  left,  and  a  secure 
lodgment  was  soon  effected. 

The  other  assault  to  the  right  of  our  centre  gained  the  summit,  and 
the  rebels  threw  down  their  arms  and  fled. 

Hooker,  coming  into  favorable  position,  swept  the  right  of  the  Ridge, 
and  captured  many  prisoners. 

Bragg's  remaining  troops  left  early  in  the  night,  and  the  'battle  of  Chat 
tanooga,  after  days  of  manoeuvring  and  fighting,  was  won.  The  strength 
of  the  rebellion  in  the  centre  is  broken.  Burnside  is  relieved  from  danger  in 
East  Tennessee.  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  are  rescued.  Georgia  and  the 
Southeast  are  threatened  in  the  rear,  AND  ANOTHER  VICTORY  is  ADDED  TO 

THE  CHAPTER  OF    "UNCONDITIONAL  SURRENDER  GRANT." 

To-night  the  estimate  of  captures  is  several  thousand  prisoners  and 
thirty  pieces  of  artillery. 

Our  loss  for  so  great  a  victory  is  not  severe. 

Bragg  is  firing  the  railroad  as  he  retreats  towards  Dalton.  Sherman 
is  in  hot  pursuit. 

To-day  I  viewed  the  battle-field,  which  extends  for  six  miles  along 
Missionary  Ridge  and  for  several  miles  on  Lookout  Mountain. 

Probably  not  so  well  directed,  so  well  ordered  a  battle,  has  taken  place  du 
ring  the  war.  But  one  assault  was  repulsed ;  but  that  assault,  by  calling 
to  that  point  the  rebel  reserves,  prevented  them  repulsing  any  of  the 
others. 

A  few  days  since  Bragg  sent  to  General  Grant  a  flag  of  truce,  advising 
him  that  it  would  be  prudent  to  remove  any  non-combatants  who  might 
be  still  in  Chattanooga.  No  reply  has  been  returned ;  but  the  combat 
ants  having  removed  from  the  vicinity,  it  is  probable  that  non-combat 
ants  can  remain  without  imprudence. 

M.  C.  MEIGS,  Quartermaster- General. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  413 


CHAPTER  LIII. 


THE  PURSUIT. FIGHT  AT  RINGGOLD. 

THE  main  portion  of  the  struggle  was  over,  but  other 
work  had  yet  to  be  done.  The  siege  of  Chattanooga  was 
raised  i~but  still  the  beaten  rebels  must  not  be  allowed  to 
gather  their  remnants  together  within  any  long  day's 
march  of  the  battle-field.  A  pursuit  of  their  flying  columns 
was  ordered,  and  to  Generals  Sherman,  Hooker,  and  Pal 
mer  was  assigned  the  task  of  completing  the  rebel  dis 
comfiture. 

The  following  account  of  the  pursuit  is  given  by  one  who 
took  part  in  the  movements  of  General  Hooker's  column  : 

After  the  successes  of  the  25th,  the  army  was  again  put  in  motion, 
with  a  view  of  following  up  the  enemy  to  Ringgold,  and  doing  him  as 
much  injury  as  possible  in  the  shortest  space  of  time.  The  army  moved 
in  three  main  columns,  Hooker  being  on  the  right,  Palmer  in  the  centre, 
and  Sherman  on  the  left.  ITooker  took  the  Rossville  road  direct  to  Ring- 
gold,  and  Palmer  made  a  junction  with  Sherman  at  Greysville,  Sherman 
having  moved  up  the  left  bank  of  the  Chickamauga.  All  three  of  the 
columns  met  at  and  near  Ringgold,  from  which  place  they  opened  lines 
of  communication. 

Davis's  Division  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  evacuated  its  position  on  a 
hill  immediately  adjacent  to  Missionary  Ridge  at  two  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  26th,  and  marched  to  a  point  near  where  the  Chicka 
mauga  empties  its  waters  into  the  Tennessee  River.  Here  the  division 
crossed  the  Chickamauga  on  a  pontoon  bridge,  and  continued  its  march 
up  the  left  bank  of  the  stream.  This  division  was  immediately  followed 
by  all  the  divisions  of  the  Eleventh  Corps,  and  this  again  by  Swing's 
Division  of  Sherman's  Corps.  Towards  daylight  the  extreme  head  of 


414  GENERAL   GRANT 

the  column  had  some  brief  skirmishes,  the  rebel  videttes  or  scouts  fall 
ing  back  after  delivering  their  first  fire. 

The  morning  was  clear  and  bright,  and  the  officers  and  men  of  the  en 
tire  command  in  the  best  of  spirits,  for  the  successes  of  the  previous  day 
were  truly  of  the  most  inspiriting  character.  Our  movement  now 
was  to  get  on  the  enemy's  flank  in  the  course  of  his  retreat,  and  strike 
a  blow  for  the  capture  of -his  trains,  pick  up  stragglers,  give  those 
willing  to  desert  an  opportunity  to  do  so,  and  do  what  other  damage 
we  could. 

During  the  morning  of  this  day,  as  General  Sherman  was  absent  else 
where,  Major-General  Howard  assumed  command  of  the  column  and  di 
rected  its  movements.  On  the  march  we  took  some  prisoners,  picked 
up  several  deserters,  and  no  small  number  of  stragglers.  The  deserters 
represented  what  they  had  seen  of  Bragg's  retreat  as  being  confused 
and  precipitate. 

About  ten  A.  M.  we  reached  the  neighborhood  of  Chickamauga  depot. 
After  a  short  engagement — more  of  a  skirmish  than  any  thing  else — we 
drove  the  rebels  back  from  the  depot. 

We  found  the  depot  in  flames,  and  two  large  piles  of  corn  meal  burn 
ing.  The  amount  of  commissary  stores  captured  here  was  tolerably 
large.  By  the  burning  alone  the  rebels  must  have  lost  fifty  thousand 
dollars'  worth. 

"We  captured,  fit  for  use,  one  pontoon  train  of  fifteen  boats ;  two  sixty- 
four-pounder  rifled  siege  guns ;  twenty  army  wagons ;  sixty  thousand 
rations  of  shelled  corn ;  fifty  thousand  rations  of  corn  meal ;  four  hun 
dred  gallons  of  molasses ;  two  caissons ;  six  forges ;  thirty  barrels  of 
pork;  one  thousand  pounds  of  bacon;  some  ordnance  stores,  artillery, 
and  small  arm  ammunition. 

The  carriages  on  which  the  siege  guns  were  mounted  were  found  in 
flames,  and  became  eventually  totally  destroyed.  One  of  the  guns  was 
spiked  with  a  wrought  nail. 

The  place  presented  a  curious  sight.  A  burning  railroad  depot,  piles 
of  burning  corn  meal,  barrels  and  boxes  scattered  around  in  the  wildest 
confusion,  piles  of  bacon  lying  on  the  railroad  track,  shelled  corn  scat 
tered  in  piles  around  the  railroad  platform,  two  heavy  guns  pointed  in 
the  direction  in  which  we  advanced — their  carriages  in  flames ;  a  pon 
toon  train,  new,  and  apparently  never  used,  massed  near  the  station  ; 
army  wagons — some  good  and  some  broken  down — turned  over,  on 
end,  and  every  way  displayed,  in  whatever  direction  the  eye  might  turn ; 
small  arms  lying  around,  some  broken  and  some  not;  broken  open  boxes 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  415 

of  ammunition  for  small  arms  thrown  here  and  there,  by  the  fire  and  away 
from  it ;  a  caisson  on  one  side,  limber  chest  on  the  other,  half  open ; 
shells  scattered  under  it,  broken  wheels,  tongues  of  wagons,  and  other 
things  pertaining  to  army  transportation,  thrown  to  the  right  and  left, 
far  and  near,  on  all  sides,  and  in  the  most  disordered  manner,  showing 
that  the  enemy  left  with  the  greatest  precipitancy,  and  before  he  could 
complete  the  destruction  of  one-third  of  his  commissary,  quartermaster, 
or  ordnance  stores. 

On  an  examination  of  the  hills  and  fields  around  the  station  we  found 
breastworks  and  redoubts.  The  latter  were  well  constructed,  and  if 
properly  manned  could  not  have  been  taken  without  considerable  loss 
of  life,  and  without  such  manoeuvring  as  pertains  to  regular  operations 
for  battle.  We  manned  the  works  at  once. 

The  inhabitants  we  found  in  the  place  (which  is  but  a  small  one)  were 
few.  They  were  so  frightened  at  what  had  occurred,  that  it  was  some 
time  before  we  could  get  from  them  intelligent  answers  to  our  questions. 
Even  after  they  had  a  chance  to  get  a  little  quieted,  all  they  could  tell 
us  was  that  on  the  night  previous,  about  eleven  o'clock,  the  rebels 
commenced  the  movement  of  their  stores — loading  their  teams  and  mov 
ing  them  off  as  fast  as  possible ;  and  that  finally  they  set  fire  to  what 
stores  they  could ;  when  they  found  the  Yankees  pressing  them,  and 
left  the  place  on  a  full  run. 

Before  leaving  the  depot,  the  retreating  rebel  forces  destroyed  two 
small  railroad  bridges  (one  over  the  Chickamauga)  near  that  place. 
When  necessary,  the  bridges  can  easily  be  rebuilt. 

Pushing  on  past  Chickamauga  depot,  we  drove  the  enemy  to  Pigeon 
Ridge,  where  he  made  a  stand ;  this  at  a  point  near  where  we  had  to 
pass.  The  enemy  opened  on  us  with  artillery.  Not  knowing  what 
force  might  be  on  the  ridge,  the  whole  column  was  placed  in  position 
for  battle.  We  then  advanced.  The  sight  presented  was  a  beautiful 
one.  The  far  stretching  lines,  one  after  another  emerging  from  the 
'woods  and  advancing  over  open  fields,  with  colors  flying,  made  up  a 
scene  of  interesting  peculiarity.  After  a  short  engagement,  in  which  we 
brought  artillery  to  bear  against  that  of  the  enemy,  a  brigade,  of  Davis's 
Division,  charged  up  the  heights  and  took  them  without  any  material  Joss, 
the  enemy  precipitately  retiring  on  finding  us  determined  to  advance. 
This  occurred  at  about  half-past  twelve  o'clock.  The  column  then  rested 
for  a  short  time. 

At  this  juncture  General  Sherman  arrived  on  the  field,  and  took  direct 
command  of  the  column. 


416  GENERAL   GRANT 

General  Sherman,  while  at  Chickamauga  depot,  and  in  common  with 
some  other  officers,  assisted  in  putting  out  a  portion  of  the  fire  around 
the  railroad  platform,  thereby  rendering  service  in  saving  some  of  the 
abandoned  stores  from  destruction  by  the  flames. 

On  our  march  being  resumed,  and  as  the  column  moved  forward,  we 
came  upon  wagons,  caissons,  and  odd  wheels  that  had  been  abandoned 
by  the  enemy  from  time  to  time  in  the  course  of  his  retreat. 

No  opposition  worthy  of  mention  attended  our  march  forward  until 
near  dark,  when,  as  we  emerged  out  of  some  low,  swampy  ground,  the 
enemy  opened  fire  with  musketry  and  artillery  from  a  low  hill.  Quite 
a  lively  musketry  fire  ensued,  lasting  for  about  three-quarters  of  an 
hour,  when  we  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field,  leaving  his  killed  and 
wounded  in  our  hands.  "We  then  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

Next  morning  we  pressed  on  to  Graysville,  where  we  made  a  junction 
with  the  forces  under  command  of  Major-General  Palmer.  Here  we 
learned  that  the  enemy  who  fought  us  on  the  previous  afternoon  had 
retired  to  Graysville  and  gone  into  camp  near  that  place,  intending  to 
move  back  to  Ringgold  on  the  following  morning.  Scarcely  had  he  got 
into  camp  when  he  was  surprised  and  attacked  by  Palmer's  Corps,  and 
immediately  put  to  flight.  In  this  surprise  movement  we  captured 
three  pieces  of  artillery,  sixty -four  prisoners,  two  caissons,  and  all  the 
artillery  horses.  In  subsequent  movements  General  Palmer  took  this 
artillery  with  him  to  use  it  against  the  enemy.  From  the  prisoners 
taken  we  learn  that  a  General  Stuart  was  in  command  of  the  forces  thus 
surprised. 

Other  than  this  surprise  movement  and  some  slight  skirmishing, 
Palmer's  column  met  with  nothing  of  particular  interest  during  Thurs 
day. 

On  Thursday  Hooker's  column  had  skirmishing  most  all  day,  and 
towards  evening  an  engagement,  that  was  briefly  terminated  by  our 
forces  pressing  forward  and  the  enemy  falling  back. 

On  Friday  morning,  November  27th,  at  half-past  eight  o'clock,  Hooker's 
column  moved  up  the  Rossville  road  towards  Ringgold  and  became 
engaged.  As  we  pressed  forward  with  rapidity  and  obstinacy,  the 
enemy  slowly  fell  back,  through  the  town  of  Ringgold  and  towards  the 
gap,  being  closely  followed  up. 

Ringgold  is  a  small  place,  of  about  two  thousand  five  hundred  in 
habitants,  and  the  county  seat  of  Catoosa  County,  Georgia;  is  situated 
at  the  base  of  the  White  Oak  Mountain  Ridge,  and  directly  in  front  of 
Ringgold  Gap.  The  surrounding  scenery  is  mountainous  and  decidedly 
18* 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  417 

romantic.  Like  all  southern  towns,  it  presents  a  dingy  appearance, 
and  shows  evidence  of  neglect  or  decay,  timong  its  buildings  are  some 
neat  cottage  residences  and  a  few  substantial  structures  of  brick.  The 
line  of  the  railroad  from  Dalton  to  Chattanooga  runs  through  the 
town.  The  railroad  connects  with  the  railroad  lines  to  Cleveland  and 
Atlanta.  The  inhabitants,  both  in  their  language  and  manners,  and  the 
manner  in  which  they  furnish  their  houses,  show  some  considerable 
degree  of  taste  and  refinement.  Many  of  the  houses  into  which  I  went 
were  neatly  and  even  elegantly  furnished. 

As  you  pass  up  the  main  street  you  come  to  the  road,  narrow  and 
straight  ahead,  leading  through  Rlnggold  Gap.  On  either  side  of  it 
rises  the  mountainous  heights  of  White  Oak  Ridge.  This  ridge  extends 
along  for  a  very  considerable  distance,  forming  a  chain  of  low  moun 
tains.  In  fact,  the  whole  of  this  region  of  country  is  but  a  succession 
of  ridges,  with  narrow  valleys  between.  The  common  or  generally 
travelled  roads  converge  to  these  gaps.  These  are  so  peculiarly  pro 
tected  by  the  adjacent  ridges,  that  two  or  three  hundred  men,  posted  on 
the  ridges,  with  a  section  of  artillery  to  sweep  the  gap,  can  hold  an 
army  in  check  until  such  time  as  preparation  is  made  either  to  take  the 
position  by  direct  assault  in  front  or  by  a  flank  movement,  through 
other  gaps  in  the  same  ridge,  and  an  advance  in  the  valley  beyond. 

The  enemy  slowly  retired  towards  the  ridge  and  gap,  and  supposing 
them  to  be  in  small  force,  Osterbaus's  Division  pressed  forward  in  line  of 
battle  with  great  gallantry.  The  enemy  opened  a  scattering  musketry 
fire  from  the  top  of  the  ridge,  and  also  brought  into  action  four  pieces  of 
artillery,  that  swept  the  gap  and  threw  their  shells  into  the  town  and  our 
lines.  Notwithstanding  this,  Osterhaus's  men  kept  on  their  course,  advanc 
ing  at  quick  time  up  the  slope,  on  both  sides  of  the  gap.  They  had  almost 
gained  the  summit,  when  the  enemy  showed  its  strength  by  delivering 
a  terrific  fire  from  the  mountain  top,  at  the  same  time  succeeding  in 
throwing  a  brigade  each  on  the  right  and  left  of  our  lines.  Our  men 
stood  their  ground  weU,  but  at  last  had  to  slowly  retire  in  consequence 
of  the  enemy's  superior  strength  and  position.  The  enemy  finding  our 
men  falling  back,  followed  them  up  with  great  persistency,  and  attempt 
ed  to  drive  them  across  the  railroad  line  by  making  a  charge,  but  did  not 
succeed,  as  Osterhaus's  men  bravely  held  their  own  and  kept  their 
line  unbroken. 

In  this  emergency  Geary's  Division,  of  the  Twefth  Corps,  was 
ordered  into  action.  General  Geary  at  once  ordered  a  brigade  around 
on  our  left,  to  advance  up  the  slope  for  the  purpose  of  turning  the 


418  GENERAL   GKANT 

enemy's  right.  The  General' Borders  were  promptly  obeyed.  The  brig 
ade  got  within  about  thirty  yards  of  the  crest,  the  Seventh  Ohio  being 
in  the  extreme  advance  (their  skirmishers  had  even  got  on  the  crest), 
when  the  enemy,  by  a  quick  movement,  massed  a  superior  force  against 
it,  and  succeeded  in  delivering  a  cross  fire,  successfully  enfilading  their 
line.  The  enemy's  fire  was  so  rapid  and  heavy  that  it  was  totally  im 
possible  for  so  small  a  force  to  withstand  it  any  length  of  time  without 
being  almost  annihilated.  Still  they  stood  their  ground  firmly  and 
nobly,  when  General  Geary,  seeing  it  was  of  no  use  for  them  to  remain 
longer  under  such  a  heavy  fire,  they  were  withdrawn  by  his  orders.  In 
this  advance,  the  Seventh  Ohio  lost  all  its  officers,  the  regiment  coming 
out  of  the  action  under  command  of  a  lieutenant. 

The  enemy  continuing  to  press  our  lines,  two  sections  of  a  battery 
were  got  into  position,  and  opened  a  rapid  fire  on  the  right  and  left  of 
the  rebel  line. 

At  this  time,  too,  the  Second  and  Third  Brigades  of  Geary's  Division 
were  ordered  up.  Our  line  then  became  extended  hi  view  of  making 
an  assault. 

The  decisive  moment  came  at  last.  The  grand  movement  was  made. 
Slowly  our  men  advanced,  and  slowly  the  rebels  retired  towards  the 
gap  and  up  the  mountain  slope.  Our  artillery,  too,  kept  up  a  steady 
fire,  almost  immediately  silencing  that  of  the  enemy.  Osterhaus's  Divi 
sion  occupied  the  centre,  one  brigade  of  Geary's  was  on  the  extreme 
left  and  the  other  two  on  the  extreme  right.  After  much  patient  effort 
we  outflanked  the  rebels  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  hills,  gained  these, 
and  drove  the  remaining  rebels  from  the  gap,  and  held  the  latter  posi 
tion.  '  In  the  final  movements  the  rebels  retreated  in  the  most  disor 
derly  manner.  They  did  not  all  of  them  get  away,  as  we  took  about 
three  hundred  prisoners. 

After  the  enemy  were  driven  through  and  from  the  gap,  we  established 
our  lines  in  the  next  valley  beyond.  The  enemy  fell  back  to  Tunnel 
Gap,  situated  in  the  succeeding  ridge  to  that  of  White  Oak. 

After  Sherman  mado  a  junction  with  Palmer,  on  Friday  morning,  the 
Eleventh  Army  Corps,  under  command  of  Major-General  Howard,  was 
sent  oft'  to  the  left  to  take  Parker's  Gap,  this  being  situated  on  the 
enemy's  right,  and  the  second  gap  from  Ringgold  Gap  in  the  same  ridge. 
The  position  was  taken  and  occupied  without  opposition,  the  enemy's 
scouting  parties  falling  back  without  firing.  During  the  battle  of  Ring- 
gold,  the  Eleventh  Corps  was  in  a  position  almost  in  the  enemy's  rear, 
and  we  could  at  any  time  have  turned  their  right  flank. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  439 

A  portion  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  pressed  on  to  the  line  of  the  Dalton 
and  Cleveland  Railroad,  reaching  Red  Clay  Station  about  dark. 

The  object  in  destroying  the  railroad  line  at  Red  Clay  was  to  prevent 
Longstreet  from  using  it  to  make  a  junction  with  Bragg.  Another 
point  was,  that  if  the  cavalry  failed  of  accomplishing  its  object  at  Cleve 
land,  we  would  carry  out  the  design  at  Red  Clay. 

General  Grant  had  his  head-quarters  in  the  town  of  Ringgold  on 
November  28th.  The  General  was  much  pleased  with  the  success  of 
his  plans,  spoke  freely  on  the  subject,  and  was  of  opinion  that  this  cam 
paign  had  been  successful  to  an  almost  extraordinary  degree,  and  had 
been  fruitful  of  results  of  the  most  unqualifiedly  gratifying  character. 
It  was  decided  not  to  pursue  the  enemy  further,  as  more  important 
operations  were  afoot.* 

The  rebels  having  retreated  as  far  as  Dalton,  Ga.,  and 
finding  the  Union  troops  did  not  pursue  further  than  Ring- 
gold,  there  turned  and  made  a  stand.  General  Bragg  then 
telegraphed  the  following,  four  days  after  the  pursuit 
had  been  given  up  : 

DALTON,  GA.,  December  2,  1863. 
General  COOPER,  Richmond : 

The  enemy  have  fallen  back  across  the  Chattanooga,  destroying  every 
thing  in  their  route,  including  the  railroad  track  and  bridges.  Their 
loss  was  heavy  in  their  attack  on  our  rear  guard,  under  General 
Clayborn. 

BRAXTON  BRAGG. 

General  Grant,  by  taking  possession  of  Red  Clay,  Cleve 
land,  and  Chattanooga,  thus  breaking  the  rebel  railroad 
triangle  the  corners  of  which  rest  on  Dalton,  Cleveland, 
and  Chattanooga,  compressed  the  principal  artery  of  the 
heart  of  the  rebel  confederacy,  and  smote  it  in  its  most 
vital  part. 

*  Army  correspondence  of  the  New  York  Herald,  dated  from  Ringgold, 
Ga.,  November  28th,  1863. 


*20  GENERAL   GEANT 


CHAPTER   LIV. 

KNOXVILLE     KELIEVED. 

• 

WHILE  the  operations  described  in  the  foregoing  chap 
ters  were  being  carried  out  by  Gen.  Grant,  the  rebel 
General  Longstreet  was  engaged  in  the  investment  of  the 
city  of  Knoxville.  Finding  that  General  Bragg  had  been 
defeated  below  Chattanooga,  Longstreet  determined  to  do 
something  to  redeem  his  name  from  the  obloquy  that  would 
attend  it  through  being  attached  to  Gen.  Bragg's  command. 
He  therefore  on  November  29th,  1863,  made  an  assault  up 
on  Fort  Sanders  and  the  other  works  around  Knoxville. 
The  assault  proved  a  failure,  and  long  before  he  could 
recover  from  the  effects  of  the  repulse,  he  found  the  Union 
columns  were  gathering  around  him,  in  such  a  manner  that 
if  he  did  not  soon  withdraw  from  his  position  he  would  be 
completely  encircled  by  them. 

Gen.  Foster's  column  was  advancing  from  the  North, 
and  Gen.  Granger's  and  other  forces  under  Gen.  Sherman 
from  Chattanpoga.  This  was  the  movement  that  caused 
the  withdrawal  of  the  troops  from  the  pursuit  of  the  rebels 
beyond  Ringgold,  Ga. 

Gen.  Sherman's  Cavalry  arrived  at  Knoxville  on  Dec.  3, 
and  on  the  night  of  Dec.  4,  Gen.  Longstreet  raised  the 
siege  of  that  place,  retreating  eastward  toward  Virginia, 
pursued  by  both  Foster  and  Sherman's  Cavalry. 

On  Dec.  7  it  was  telegraphed  to  Washington  that  Knox 
ville  had  been  relieved  and  re-enforced  by  Granger's  Corps, 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  421 

and  that  Longstreet  was  retreating.  On  the  same  day 
President  Lincoln  issued  the  following  proclamation  of 
thanksgiving : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION.         ) 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Dec.  7,  1863.  f 

Reliable  information  being  received  that  the  insurgent  force  is  retreat 
ing  from  East  Tennessee,  under  circumstances  rendering  it  probable 
that  the  Union  forces  cannot  hereafter  be  dislodged  from  that  important 
position;  and  esteeming  this  to  be  of  high  national  consequence,  I 
recommend  that  all  loyal  people  do,  on  receipt  of  this  information, 
assemble  at  their  places  of  worship,  and  render  special  homage  and 
gratitude  to  Almighty  God  for  this  great  advancement  of  the  national 
cause.  A.  LINCOLN. 

The  President  also  sent  the  following  dispatch  to  Major- 
General  Grant : 

WASHINGTON,  Dec.  8. 
Major-General  GRANT  : 

Understanding  that  your  lodgment  at  Chattanooga  and  Knoxville  is 
now  secure,  /  wish  to  tender  you  and  all  under  your  command  my  more 
than  thanks — my  profoundest  gratitude  for  the  skill,  courage,  and  persever 
ance  with  which  you  and  they,  over  so  great  difficulties^  have  effected  that 
important  object.  God  bless  you  all !  A.  LINCOLN. 

The  above  dispatch  was  embodied  in  an  order  by  Gen. 
Grant,  and  so  read  to  every  regiment  in  his  command. 

In  reference  to  this  brief  but  decisive  campaign,  Gen. 
Halleck  added  the  following  supplementary  remarks  to  his 
annual  report : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  OP  THE  ARMY,       ) 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  December  6,  1863.  f 

In  compliance  with  your  instructions  I  submit  the  following  sum 
mary  of  the  operations  of  General  Grant's  army  since  my  report  of  the 
ISthult.: 

It  appears  from  the  official  reports  which  have  been  received  here 
that  our  loss  in  the  operations  of  tha  27th,  28th,  and  29th  of  October  in 
reopening  communications  on  the  south  side  of  the  Tennessee  River, 
from  Chattanooga  to  Bridgeport,  was  76  killed,  339  wounded,  and  22 
missing ;  total  437.  The  estimated  loss  of  the  enemy  was  over  1,500. 


422  GENERAL   GRANT 

As  soon  as  General  Grant  could  get  up  his  supplies  he  prepared  to 
advance  upon  the  enemy,  who  had  become  weakened  by  the  detachment 
of  Longstreet's  command  against  Knoxville.  General  Sherman's  army 
moved  up  the  north  side  of  the  Tennessee  River,  and  during  the  nights 
of  the  23d  and  24th  of  Xovembcr  established  pontoon  bridges  and 
crossed  to  the  south  side  between  Citico  Creek  and  Chickamauga.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  23d  General  Thomas's  forces  attacked  the  enemy's 
rifle-pits  between  Chattanooga  and  Citico  Creek.  The  battle  was  re 
newed  on  the  24th  along  the  whole  line.  Sherman  carried  the  eastern 
end  of  Missionary  Ridge  up  to  the  tunnel,  and  Thomas  repelled  every 
attempt  of  the  enemy  to  regain  the  position  which  he  had  lost  at  the 
centre  ;  while  Hooker's  force,  in  Lookout  Valley,  crossed  the  mountain 
and  drove  the  enemy  from  its  northern  slope. 

On  the  25th  the  whole  of  Mission  Ridge,  from  Rossville  to  the 
Chickamauga,  was,  after  a  desperate  struggle,  most  gallantly  carried 
by  our  troops,  and  the  enemy  was  completely  routed. 

Considering  the  strength  of  the  rebel  position  and  the  difficulty  of 
storming  his  intrenchmsnts,  the  battle  of  Chattanooga  must  be  considered 
the  7nost  remarkable  in  history.  Not  only  did  the  officers  and  men 
exhibit  great  skill  and  daring  in  their  operations  on  the  field,  but  the 
highest  praise  is  due  to  the  commanding  general  for  his  admirable  dis 
positions/or  dislodging  the  enemy  from  a  position  apparently  impregnable* 
Moreover,  by  turning  his  right  flank  and  throwing  him  back  upon 
Ringgold  and  Dalton,  Sherman's  forces  were  interposed  between  Bragg 
and  Longstreet  so  as  to  prevent  any  possibility  of  their  forming  a 
junction. 

Our  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  is  reported  at  about  4,000. 
We  captured  over  6,000  prisoners,  besides  the  wounded  left  in  our 
hands,  forty  pieces  of  artillery,  five  or  six  thousand  small  arms,  and  a 
large  train.  The  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  is  not  known. 

While  Generals  Thomas  and  Hooker  pushed  Bragg's  army  back  into 


*  General  Scott  is  reported  to  have  stated  to  a  leading  Washington 
official,  with  whom  the  old  veteran  fell  into  a  very  unreserved  talk,  that 
General  Grant's  operations  displayed  more  military  skill  than  any  other 
general  had  exhibited  on  our  side ;  and  he  was  the  more  surprised  and 
mystified  at  it,  as  he  could  only  remember  him  in  the  Mexican  war  as  a 
young  lieutenant  of  undoubted  courage,  but  giving  no  promise  whatever 
of  any  thing  beyond  ordinary  abilities. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  423 

Georgia,  General  Sherman  with  his  own  and  General  Granger's  forces  was 
sent  into  East  Tennessee  to  prevent  the  return  of  Longstreet  and  to  relieve 
General  ^urnsid',  who  ivas  then  besieged  in  Knoxville.  We  have  reliable  in 
formation  that  General  Sherman  has  successfully  accomplished  his  object, 
and  that  Longstreet  is  in  full  retreat  towards  Virginia.  But  no  details 
have  been  received  with  regard  to  Sherman's  operations  since  he  crossed 
the  Hiwassee,  nor  of  Burnside's  defence  of  Knoxville.  It  is  only  known 
that  every  attack  of  the  enemy  on  that  place  was  successfully  repulsed. 

Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  "W.  HALLECK,  General-in-Chief. 

Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War. 

On  December  5, 1863,  General  Burnside,  the  commander 
at  Knoxville,  issued  a  congratulatory  order  to  his  troops 
in  reference  to  the  raising  of  the  siege,  which  had  lasted 
about  three  weeks. 

An  army  correspondent  writing  from  Knoxville,  states 
as  follows : 

Now  that  the  campaign  has  developed  itself,  it  may  not  be  considered 
contraband  information  to  say  that,  in  holding  Knoxville,  General  Sum- 
side  has  played  an  important  part  in  the  grand  campaign  of  General  Grant. 
Some  incline  to  the  belief  that  with  the  troops  under  his  command, 
General  Burnside  could  have  checked  Longstreet  on  the  Tennessee 
River,  and  there  kept  him,  transferring  the  scene  of  the  contest  from 
Knoxville  to  the  vicinity  of  London  or  Kingston.  Bui  by  doing  so  Lony- 
ttrcet  would  have  been  within  supporting  distance  of  Bragg.  To  draw  him, 
therefore,  still  further  away  from  Chattanooga,  General  Burnside  slowly  re 
treated  before  him  until  he  reached  Knoxville,  where,  of  course,  his  plan  was 
to  keep  him  in  efforts  to  take  the  citij  lohile  General  Thomas  might  fall  upon 
and  rout  the  army  of  Bragg,  diminished  as  it  was  by  the  withdrawal  of  Long- 
streeCs  command.  Uow  egregiously  he  fell  into  the  trap,  and'how  successfully 
the  other  portion  of  the  programme  ivas  carried  out  at  Chattanooga,  are  now 
fully  known  from  the  history  of  the  past  few  weeks.  Bragg,  in  the  first 
place,  has  been  thoroughly  routed,  and  Longstreet,  after  vain  efforts  to 
capture  this  city  by  siege  and  assault,  as  an  offset  to  the  defeat  of  Bragg, 
has  been  compelled  to  raise  the  siege  and  retreat,  an  inglorious  fugitive, 
towards  Virginia.  On  Nov.  13,  when  Longstreet  crossed  his  advance 


424  GENERAL   GRANT 

guard  over  the  Tennessee,  it  would  have  been  an  easy  matter  with  General 
Burnside  to  have  driven  it  back  again,  destroyed  the  pontoon  bridges,  and 
by  planting  his  artillery  on  the  hills  thti  side  of  the  river,  prevented  a  recross- 
ing ;  but  the  part  assigned  him  by  General  Grant  was  to  lure  his  antagonist 
on.  Longstreet  discovered  his  mistake  too  late.  Letters  written  by 
his  officers  and  captured  by  our  forces,  show  that  when  the  fighting 
commenced  at  Chattanooga  he  was  extremely  puzzled  as  to  what  part 
he  should  take.  The  capture  of  Knoxviile  seemed  a  very  difficult  mat 
ter,  and  he  entertained  ideas  of  abandoning  the  siege  for  the  purpose  of 
returning  to  Bragg ;  but  when  the  latter  was  defeated,  and  when  he  saw 
that  Thomas  was  now  between  Bragg  and  himself,  he  endeavored  to  re 
trieve  the  disaster  in  a  measure  by  the  capture  of  Knoxville.  Hence 
the  desperate  assault  of  the  29th  ult.  That  he  was  preparing  for  another 
attack  when  our  re-enforcements  reached  us  we  have  the  best  of  evidence.  So 
far  as  capturing  the  city  is  concerned,  we  know  that  he  could  not  have 
done  it  by  actual  fighting.  The  garrison  was  all  sufficient  in  this  respect. 
But,  if  unmolested  in  the  siege,  he  might  have  starved  us  out,  and  hence 
the  necessity  of  re-enforcements.  It  may  be  that  the  programme  also 
embraced  his  rout,  if  not  capture,  before  he  could  get  away  from  Knox 
ville.  If  so,  he  took  the  alarm  in  time,  and  is  now  well  on  his  way  to  re- 
enforce  Lee.  How  far  he  will  succeed  in  escaping  time  will  develop.* 

The  rebels  now  began  to  be  seriously  worried  about 
General  Grant's  movements,  and  the  following  article 
appeared  in  one  of  their  principal  journals : 

"  Sallust,"  the  well-informed  and  trustworthy  correspondent  of  the 
Dispatch,  telegraphing  from  Resaca,  under  date  of  December,  1863, 
states,  in  substance,  that  the  wagon  roads  are  in  a  horrible  condition, 
that  the  enemy  cannot  advance  without  the  railroad,  that  they  have  no 
cars,  and  that  the  probabilities  are  that  no  movement  in  force  upon  Dai- 
ton  and  Atlanta  will  be  made  till  next  spring.  With  great  general  con 
fidence  in  the  accuracy  of  statement  and  correctness  of  judgment  of  this 
correspondent,  we  should,  nevertheless,  be  exceedingly  sorry  to  learn 
that  his  opinions  are  derived  from  the  general  now  commanding  the  rem 
nant  of  Bragg' s  army,  and  that  they  are  shared  by  the  President  and 


*  Mr.  James  C.  Fitzpatrick's  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Herald, 
December  6,  1863. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  425 

"War  Department  at  Richmond.  To  count  upon  the  tardiness  of  Grant's 
movements,  in  consequence  of  the  condition  of  the  turnpikes  or  the  railroads, 
would  be  suicidal.  Grant  has  proved  that  he  can  do  what  so  few  of  our  gene 
rals  have  been  able  to  accomplish — follow  up  a  victory — in  spite  of  natural 
obstacles;  and  it  is  certain  that  he  will  not  permit  himself  now  to  be  stopped, 
either  by  mud  or  by  a  want  of  cars.  These  difficulties  are  by  no  means 
insurmountable. 

Every  one  remembers  the  sanguine  predictions  of  the  impossibility  of  car 
rying  on  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  Gentlemen  owning  plantations  on  which 
Grant's  army  was  encamped  before  Vicksburg,  declared  that  the  soldiers 
would  perish  for  lack  of  water,  or  die  like  sheep  with  the  rot,  from  drink 
ing  such  as  they  could  obtain.  Moreover,  we  were  told  that  the  mala 
rious  diseases  of  the  climate  would  decimate  his  army,  and  compel  him 
to  raise  the  siege.  Further,  it  was  stated  by  the  same  reliable  operator, 
who  is  now  at  work  in  Atlanta,  cheering  us  with  the  assurance  that  the 
Yankees  lost  at  least  twenty  thousand  men  in  the  assault  on  Lookout 
Mountain,  that  Grant  had  lost  quite  fifty  thousand  of  the  flower  of  his 
army  in  the  various  attempts  to  storm  the  intrenchments  at  Vicksburg. 
How  utterly  fallacious  all  these  predictions  and  assertions  proved  I  The 
siege  of  Vicksburg  progressed  steadily  to  its  conclusion,  without,  so  far  as  we 
have  ever  learned,  any  serious  impediment  whatever.  In  spite  of  water,  cli 
mate,  diseases,  and  repeated  repulses,  Grant  compelled  Pemberton  to  sur 
render  in  less  than  three  months  from  the  day  the  siege  began.- 

Shall  we  again  be  the  dupes  of  ill-founded  hopes  ?  Shall  we  rely  for 
safety  upon  mud  and  not  upon  men  ?  Shall  we  trust  to  cars  and  not  to 
energy  ?  Heaven  forbid !  The  railroad  from  Nashville  to  Chattanooga 
is,  doubtless,  now  open,  and  trains  running  all  the  way  through.  On 
this  railroad  any  quantity  of  cars  and  engines  necessary  to  stock  the 
road  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  may  be  brought  through  in  less  than 
a  week's  time.  Two  weeks  more  will  be  all  that  Yankee  activity  and 
ingenuity  will  demand  to  complete  the  re-building  of  bu?  ned  bridges. 
But  we  doubt  if  Grant  will  await  the  arrival  of  cars  and  the  completion  of 
bridges.  He  has  plenty  of  transportation,  and  the  whole  North  behind 
'him  to  supply  horses  and  wagons  as  fast  as  they  break  down. 


"What  is  to  be  done  must  be  done  without  one  moment's  delay,  and 
much  must  be  given  up  in  order  that  something  may  be  saved.  Grant's 
goal  is  Atlanta.  He  will  be  there  before  Christmas,  and  half  the  .cotton 
remaining  in  the  Confederacy  will  be  in  his  hands  or  destroyed,  unless 


:i 


426  GENERAL   GRANT 

a  truly  great  general  and  a  great  army  are  placed  athwart  his  path  with 
in  three  weeks  from  this  day.* 

The  Chattanooga-Knoxville  campaign  ended,  General 
Grant  issued  the  following  congratulatory  order  to  his 
command : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE 

MISSISSIPPI,  IN  THE  FIELD, 
CHATTANOOGA,  TENNESSEE,  Dec.  10,  1863. 
[General  Orders,  No.  9.] 

The  General  Commanding  takes  this  opportunity  of  returning  his  sin 
cere  thanks  and  congratulations  to  the  brave  armies  of  the  Cumberland, 
the  Ohio,  the  Tennessee,  and  their  comrades  from  the  Potomac,  for  the 
recent  splendid  and  decisive  successes  achieved  over  the  enemy.  In  a 
short  time  you  have  recovered  from  him  the  control  of  the  Tennessee  River 
from  Bridgeport  to  Knoxville.  You  dislodged  him  from  his  great  strong 
hold  upon  Lookout  Mountain,  drove  him  from  Chattanooga  Valley,  wrested 
from  his  determined  grasp  the  possession  of  Missionary  Ridge,  repelled  with 
heavy  loss  to  him  his  repeated  assaults  upon  Knoxville,  forcing  him  to  raise 
the  siege  there,  driving  him  at  all  points,  utterly  routed  and  discomfited,  be 
yond  the  limits  of  the  State.  By  your  noble  heroism  and  determined 
courage,  you  have  most  effectually  defeated  the  plans  of  the  enemy  for 
regaining  possession  of  the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  You 
have  secured  positions  from  which  no  rebellious  power  can  drive  or  dis 
lodge  you.  For  all  this  the  General  Commanding  thanks  you  collectively 
and  individually.  The  loyal  people  of  the  United  States  thank  and  bless 
you.  Their  hopes  and  prayers  for  your  success  against  this  unholy  re 
bellion  are  with  you  daily.  Their  faith  in  you  will  not  be  in  vain.  Their 
hopes  will  not  be  blasted.  Their  prayers  to  Almighty  God  will  be  an 
swered.  You  tvill  yet  go  to  other  fields  of  strife ;  and  with  the  invincible 
bravery  and  unflinching  loyalty  to  justice  and  right  which  have  character 
ized  you  in  the  past,  you  will  prove  that  no  enemy  can  withstand  you,  and 
that  no  defences,  however  formidable,  can  check  your  onward  march. 

By  order  of  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  A.  A.-G.  V 

At  the  time  General  Grant  issued  the  above  order  he 
was  far  from  being  in  good  health,  as  may  be  gathered 
from  the  following  extract  from  a  correspondent's  letter: 

*  Richmond  (Va.)  Whig,  "December,  18G3. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  427 

General  Grant  is  still  suffering  from  his  fall  at  New  Orleans,  has 
grown  thin  and  stooping,  and  shows  marks  of  so  great  a  loss  of  health 
and  strength  as  to  create  fear  of  his  recovery,  though  he  still  works  as 
indefatigably  as  ever.  When  it  was  announced  at  General  Grant's  head 
quarters  that  Bragg  had  been  removed  and  Hardee  put  in  command  of 
the  rebel  army,  the  General  quietly  remarked:  "He  is  my  choice," — 
an  opinion  that  seems  to  be  very  generally  entertained  in  both  armies.* 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  paragraph  it  is  neces 
sary  to  state  that  General  Bragg  was  removed  from  his 
command  for  his  defeat  at  Chattanooga,  and  was  tempora 
rily  succeeded  by  General  Hardee. 

It  was  announced  from  Chattanooga  on  December  7th 
that  Genera!  Grant  had  captured,  from  the  commencement 
of  the  war  up  to  that  date,  no  less  than  four  hundred  and 
seventy-two  cannon  and  ninety  thousand  prisoners,  with 
small  arms  innumerable. 

The  following  remarks  are  reported  to  have  been  writ 
ten  by  Colonel  Ely  S.  Parker — Indian  Sachem  and  Chief 
of  the  Tonawanda  tribe  and  Seneca  Nation  of  Indians,  and 
who  became  a  member  of  General  Grant's  staff — in  rela 
tion  to  the  conduct  of  the  commanding  general  during  the 
battles  around  Chattanooga : 

I  need  not  describe  to  you  the  recent  battle  of  Chattanooga.  The 
papers  have  given  every  possible  detail  concerning  it.  I  may  only  say 
that  I  saw  it  all,  and  was  in  the  five  days'  fight.  Of  General  Grant's 
staff  only  one  was  wounded,  a  Lieutenant  Towner,  Assistant  Chief  of 
Artillery,  whose  parents  formerly  lived  at  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  but  now  of 
Chicago.  It  has  been  a  matter  of  universal  wonder  in  this  army  that  Gen 
eral  Grant  himself  was  not  kitted,  and  that  no  more  accidents  occurred  to  his 
staff,  for  the  General  was  always  in  the  front  (his  staff  with  him,  of 
course),  and  perfectly  heedless  of  the  storm  of  hissing  bullets  and  scream 
ing  shell  flying  around  him.  His  apparent  want  of  sensibility  does  not 
arise  from  heedlessness,  heartlessness,  or  vain  military  affectation,  but 
from  a  sense  of  the  responsibility  resting  upon  him  when  in  battle.  When 

* Indianapolis  Journal,  December,  1863. 


428  GENERAL   GRANT 

at  Ringgold,  we  rode  for  half  a  mile  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  under  an 
incessant  fire  of  cannon  and  musketry,  nor  did  we  ride  fast,  but  upon  an 
ordinary  trot,  and  not  once  do  I  believe  did  it  enter  the  General's  mind  that 
he  was  in  danger.  I  was  by  his  side  and  watched  him  closely.  In 
riding  that  distance  we  were  going  to  the  front,  and  I  could  see  that  he 
was  studying  the  positions  of  the  two  armies,  and,  of  course,  planning 
how  to  defeat  the  enemy,  who  was  here  making  a  most  desperate  stand, 
and  was  slaughtering  our  men  fearfully.  After  defeating  and  driving 
the  enemy  here  we  returned  to  Chattanooga. 

Another  feature  in  General  Grant's  personal  movements  is,  that  he 
requires  no  escort  beyond  his  staff,  so  regardless  of  danger  is  he.  Roads 
are  almost  useless  to  him,  for  he  takes  short  cuts  through  fields  and 
woods,  and  will  swim  his  horse  through  almost  any  stream  that  ob 
structs  his  way.  Nor  does  it  make  any  difference  to  him  whether  he 
has  daylight  for  his  movements,  for  he  will  ride  from  breakfast  until  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  that  too  without  eating.  The  next  day  he  will 
repeat  the  dose,  until  he  finishes  his  work.  Now  such  things  come  hard 
upon  the  staff,  but  they  have  learned  how  to  bear  it. 

General  Grant  has  the  reputation  of  being  the  best  rider 
in  the  army ;  and  an  eye-witness  to  his  movements  during 
the  battle  of  Chattanooga  relates  that  when  he  spurred 
from  one  portion  o£  the  tield  to  another,  his  staff  very  soon 
strung  out  like  the  tail  of  a  kite.  The  General  always 
leads. 

The  following  amusing  incident  took  place  during  the 
Chattanooga  campaign:  During  the  dark  days  of  the 
siege,  when  food  and  forage  were  scarce,  and  the  ghastly 
corpses  and  bleached  skeletons  of  starved  mules  lined  the 
thoroughfares  thereabouts,  General  Grant  and  Quarter 
master  General  Meigs  arrived  in  Chattanooga,  Taking  an 
airing  on  horseback  one  afternoon,  they  passed  the  carcass 
of  a  huge  mule  lying  by  the  roadside,  whose  "  ill-savor 
went  up"  before  and  around  them.  The  hero  of  Vicks- 
burg  removed  his  briar  root  from  his  lips,  and  remarked 
sorrowfully,  "  Ah,  General,  there  lies  a  dead  soldier  of  the 
Quartermaster's  Department."  "  Yes,  General,"  replied 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  42 S 

the  Quartermaster  General,  in  subdued  tones,  "  in  him  you 
see  the  c  ruling  passion  strong  in  death'  exemplified,  for 
the  old  veteran  has  already  assumed  the  offensive." 

From  a  private  letter  from  an  officer  the  following  inci 
dent  has  been  gleaned : 

A  great  many  prisoners  have  been  brought  in.  The  charge  of  the 
army  on  Mission  Ridge  astounded  Bragg.  Breckinridge's  head- quarters 
were  on  the  Ridge,  in  full  view  of  our  troops.  A  lady  who  lives  there 
told  our  troops  the  following:  "Before  you  all  came  up  here,  I  asked 
General  Bragg,  '  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  me,  General  ?'  He 
says  to  me,  '  Lord  I  madame,  the  Yankees  will  never  dare  to  come  up  here? 
And,"  she  added  with  a  blubber,  "it  was  not  fifteen  minutes  till  you 
were  all  around  here." 


130  GENERAL   GRANT 


CHAPTER  LV. 

HONORS  TO  GENERAL  GRANT. THANKS  OF  CONGRESS. — GOLD 

MEDAL. 

THE  intelligence  of  General  Grant's  victorious  mountain 
campaign  in  Tennessee  and  Georgia  was  announced  in  Wash 
ington  on  the  day  of  the  first  assembling  of  the  United 
States  Congress  for  1863-'4.  Mr.  Washburne,  the  repre 
sentative  for  Galena,  in  the  House,  immediately  gave  notice 
of  the  introduction  of  two  bills,  one  "  to  revive  the  grade 
of  Lieutenant-General  of  the  army,"  and  the  other  "  to  pro 
vide  that  a  medal  be  struck  for  General  Grant,  and  that  a 
vote  of  thanks  be  given  him  and  the  officers  of  his  army." 

It  did  not  require  either  any  very  acute  mental  penetration 
or  a  knowledge  of  the  intimate  relations  of  Congressman 
"Washburne  with  General  Grant,  to  understand  the  meaning 
and  bearing  of  the  above  bill  for  the  revival  of  the  grade  of 
Lieutenant-General.  The  object  was  nothing  more  nor  less 
than  the  elevation  of  Major-General  Grant  to  that  position. 

It  was  not  the  intention  of  those  who  desired  the  further 
promotion  of  General  Grant  to  take  him  away  from  his 
command,  and  substitute  him  for  the  General-in-Chief.  It 
was  their  conviction  that  he  would  be  most  useful  in  the 
iield,  and  hence  they  wanted  him  to  remain  at  the  head  of 
Ins  great  army,  but  to  exercise,  at  the  same  time,  from  the 
field,  the  functions  of  a  General-in-Chief. 

Mr.  Washburne' s  motion  relative  to  the  joint  thanks  of 
Congress  and  the  Gold  Medal  did  not  require  long  deliber 
ation.  The  members  of  both  Houses  were  thoroughly  con- 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  431 

vinced  that  General  Grant  deserved  the  thanks  of  the  nation, 
and  when  that  resolution  was  brought  up,  it  was  passed  by 
both  Congress  and  Senate  without  opposition,  and  received 
the  President's  signature  within  ten  days  of  its  introduction. 
It  then  became  the  first  law  of  the  session  of  1863-'4. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  official  document : 

LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Passed  at  the  First  Session  of  the  Thirty-eighth  Congress. 

[PUBLIC  RESOLUTION  No.  1.] 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  of  thanks  to  Major-General  Ulysses  S.  Grant  and  the 
officers  and  soldiers  who  have  fought  under  his  command  during  this 
rebellion ;  and  providing  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  shall 
cause  a  medal  to  be  struck,  to  be  presented  to  Major-General  Grant  in 
the  name  of  the  people  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
Be  it  resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  be 
and  they  hereby  are  presented  to  Major-General  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  and 
through  him  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  have  fought  under  his  com 
mand  during  this  rebellion,  for  their  gallantry  and  good  conduct  in  the 
battles  in  which  they  have  been  engaged  ;  and  that  the  President  of  the 
United  States  be  requested  to  cause  a  gold  medal  to  be  struck,  with  suit 
able  emblems,  devices,  and  inscriptions,  to  be  presented  to  Major-Gen 
eral  Grant. 

SEC.  2.  And  be  it  further  resolved,  That,  when  the  said  medal  shall 
have  been  struck,  the  President  shall  cause  a  copy  of  this  joint  resolution 
to  be  engrossed  on  parchment,  and  shall  transmit  the  same,  together 
with  the  said  medal,  to  Major-General  Grant,  to  be  presented  to  him  in 
the  name  of  the  people  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

SEC.  3.  And  be  it  further  resolved,  That  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to 
carry  this  resolution  into  effect  is  hereby  appropriated  out  of  any  money 
in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated. 

SCHUYLER  COLFAX, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

H.  HAMLIN, 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States  and 

President  of  the  Senate. 
Approved  December  It,  18G3. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 


432  *          GENERAL   GRANT 

The  resolution  having  become  a  law  of  the  land,  it  was  „ 
necessary  that  a  design  should  at  once  be  made  for  the 
medal.  The  following  by  Leutze  was  announced*  as  the 
one  selected  by  the  committee  having  the  matter  in  charge  : 
"The  obverse  of  the  medal  was  to  consist  of  a  profile  like 
ness  of  the  hero,  surrounded  by  a  wreath  of  laurels ;  his 
name  and  the  year  of  his  victories  inscribed  upon  it,  and 
the  whole  surrounded  by  a  galaxy  of  stars.  The  design 
for  the  reverse  was  original,  appropriate,  and  beautiful. 
It  was  the  figure  of  Fame  seated  in  a  graceful  attitude  on 
the  American  eagle,  which,  with  outspread  wings,  seems 
preparing  for  flight.  In  her  right  hand  she  held  the  sym 
bolical  trump,  and  in  her  left  a  scroll  on  which  were  in 
scribed  the  names  of  the  gallant  chief's  various  battles, 
viz. :  Corinth,  Yioksburg,  Mississippi  River,  and  Chat 
tanooga.  On  her  head  was  a  helmet,  ornamented  in  Indian 
fashion,  with  feathers  radiating  from  it.  In  front  of  the 
eagle,  its  breast  resting  against  it,  was  the  emblematical 
shield  of  the  United  States.  Just  underneath  this  group, 
their  stems  crossing  each  other,  were  single  sprigs  of  the 
pine  and  the  palm,  typical  of  the  North  and  South.  Above 
the  figure  of  fame,  in  a  curved  line,  the  motto,  "  Proclaim 
Liberty  throughout  the  Land."  The  edge  was  surrounded, 
like  the  obverse,  with  a  circle  of  stars  of  a  style  peculiar  to 
the  Byzantine  period,  and  rarely  seen  except  in  illuminated 
MSS.  of  that  age.  These  stars  were  more  in  number  than 
the  existing  States — of  course,  including  those  of  the  South 
— thereby  suggesting  further  additions  in  the  future  to  the 
Union." 

Other  honors  were  paid  him  by  societies,  electing  him 
honorary  life  member,  &c.  The  following  are  selected  as 
instances  to  show  the  manner  in  which  he  received  these 
tokens  of  appreciation : 

*  New  York  Evening  Post. 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  433 

At  the  anniversary  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Cin 
cinnati  Conference  held  in  1863,  that  body  elected  General 
Grant  an  honorary  member.  Rev.  J.  F.  Marlay  commu 
nicated  the  fact  to  the  General,  and  the  following  is  his 
reply : 

CHATTANOOGA,  Dec.  7,  1863. 
Rev.  F.  MARLAY,  Secretary  Society: 

DEAR  SIR  : — Through  you  permit  me  to  express  my  thanks  to  the 
society  of  which  you  are  the  honored  secretary,  for  the  compliment  they 
have  seen  fit  to  pay  me  by  electing  me  one  of  its  members. 

/  accept  the  election  as  a  token  of  earnest  support,  by  members  of  the 
Methodist  Missionary  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  Conference,  to  the  cause  of 
our  country  in  this  hour  of  trial. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major-General  U.  S:  A. 

The  following  interesting  correspondence  explains  itself: 

MORRISTOWN,  Dec.  9,  1863. 
To  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT  : 

DEAR  SIR: — I  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  the  church  of 
which  I  am  pastor,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  this  town,  highly 
appreciating  your  services  for  your  country,  and  rejoicing  in  the  victories 
which  God  has  wrought  out  through  you  and  your  noble  army,  and 
praying  that  you  may  be  spared  to  see  the  end  of  this  accursed  rebellion, 
have  contributed  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ($150)  to  constitute  you 
a  LIFE  DIRECTOR  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Will 
you  please  direct  where  we  shall  send  your  Certificate  ?  May  God 
4.1mighty  bless  and  keep  you,  and  continue  to  crown  your  arms  with 
ctory  and  triumph  1 

"With  sincere  admiration  and  respect, 

I  am,  dear  General,  yours  truly, 

LEWIS  R.  DUNN, 
Pastor  of  the  AT.  E.  Church,  Morristown,  N.  J. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  MIL.  DIST.  OF  THE  Miss.,  [ 
CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  Dec.  16,  1863.      j 
To  the  Rev.  LEWIS  R.  DUNN, 

Pastor  of  M.  E.  Church,  Morristown,  N.  J. 

SIR: — In  reply  to  your  letter  of  Dec.  19th,  to  Maj.-Gen.U.  S.  Grant, 
he  directs  me  to  express  his  gratitude  to  the  Christian  people  of  Morris- 
19 


434  GENERAL   GRANT 

town  for  their  prayerful  remembrance  of  him  before  the  throne  of  the 
Most  High,  and  to  thank  them,  through  you,  for  the  honor  conferred 
upon  him.  Be  good  enough  to  send  his  Certificate  of  Membership  to  Mrs. 
U.  S.  Grant,  Louisvitte,  Kentucky. 

Very  resp'y,  your  ob't  ser't, 

J.  H.  WILSON,  Brig.-Gen. 

As  a  further  appreciation  of  General  Grant's  merits,  and 
to  manifest  the  true  feeling  of  the  people  with  regard  to 
his  patriotism  and  military  success,  it  was  recommended 
by  one  of  the  principal  journals  of  the  United  States*  that 
he  should  be  tendered  a  popular  nomination  for  the  posi 
tion  of  President,  embracing  the  offices  of  chief  magistrate, 
and  Commander-in-  Chief  of  the  forces  of  the  nation. 

On  the  thirteenth  day  of  January,  1864,  the  following 
resolution,  moved  by  Mr.  Reed,  was  adopted  by  the  Legis 
lature  of  the  State  of  New  York : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  people  of  this  State  be  tendered  to 
General  Grant  and  his  Army  for  their  glorious  victories  in  the  valley  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  the  still  more  glorious  victory  at  Mission  Ridge  and 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  that  a  certified  copy  of  this  resolution  be  forward 
ed  to  General  Grant. 

The  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Ohio  also  presented  him 
with  a  vote  of  thanks. 

The  following  is  the  description  of  a  handsome  pair  of 
revolvers  in  course  of  construction  at  the  Colt's  arm  manu 
facturing  establishment  designed  to  be  presented  to  General 
Grant : 

The  handles  are  of  black  horn,  beautifully  polished,  and  the  barrel? 
magazines,  and  other  steel  parts  are  elaborately  inlaid  with  pure  gold, 
which  is  beaten  into  a  design  previously  cut  out  of  the  steel.  The  other 
ornaments,  guard,  &c.,  are  of  a  solid  gold.  The  pair  are  to  be  enclosed 
in  a  handsome  rosewood  box,  lined  with  velvet,  and  accompanied  by  all 
the  tools,  &c.,  belonging  to  them — the  cartridge-boxes,  &c.,  being  manu 
factured  of  silver.  When  finished  these  pistols  will  equal  any  pair  that 
has  over  left  the  establishment.! 

*  New  York  Herald.  \  Hartford  (Ct.)  Times. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  435 


CHAPTER  LVL 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. — CONGRESSIONAL   NOMINATION. 

THE  bill  introduced  by  Mr.  Washburne  for  the  revival 
of  the  grade  of  Lieutenant-General  of  the  United  States 
Army,  having  in  the  due  course  of  business  been  read  and 
referred  to  the  military  committee  of  the  House  of  Con 
gress,  was  slightly  amended,  and  came  up  on  February 
1st,  1864,  for  final  action  of  that  portion  of  the  law-making 
power. 

The  amended  bill  introduced  was  thus  worded : 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  grade  of  Lieutenant- 
General  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  revived  in  the  Army  of  the  United 
States  of  America ;  and  the  President  is  hereby  authorized,  whenever 
he  shall  deem  it  expedient,  to  appoint,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con 
sent  of  the  Senate,  a  commander  of  the  army,  to  be  selected,  during 
war,  from  among  those  officers  in  the  military  service  of  the  United 
States,  not  below  the  grade  of  Major-General,  most  distinguished  for 
courage,  skill,  and  ability ;  and  who,  being  commissioned  as  Lieutenant- 
General,  shall  be  authorized,  under  the  direction  of  the  President,  to  command 
the  armies  of  the  United  States. 

SEC.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Lieutenant-General  appoint 
ed  as  hereinbefore  provided,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  pay,  allowances,  and 
staff  specified  in  the  fifth  section  of  the  act  approved  May  28th,  1798; 
and  also  the  allowances  described  in  the  sixth  section  of  the  act  approved 
August  23d,  1842,  granting  additional  rations  to  certain  officers :  Provided, 
That  nothing  in  this  bill  contained  shall  be  construed  in  any  way  to 
affect  the  rank,  pay,  or  allowances  of  Winfield  Scott,  lieutenant  general 
by  brevet,  now  on  the  retired  list  of  the  army. 


436  GENERAL    GRANT 

Mr.  Farnsworth  opened  the  debate  by  a  recommendation 
that  the  bill  should  be  passed  that  morning. 

Mr.  Garfield,  formerly  chief  of  staff  to  General  Rose- 
crans,  having  opposed  the  motion, 

Mr.  Farnsworth  addressed  the  House  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  argument  of  my  colleague  of  the  Committee  on  Mil 
itary  Affairs  who  has  just  taken  his  seat,  is  a  twofold  argument.  I  un 
derstand  his  first  argument  to  be  that  the  war  has  not  progressed  far 
enough,  and  that  we  have  not  given  our  generals  in  the  field  a  sufficient 
term  of  trial  to  enable  the  President  to  select  with  proper  judgment  a 
man  upon  whom  to  confer  the  rank  of  lieutenant-general. 

His  second  argument  is,  that  the  General  toward  whom  this  legislation 
is  directed  is  so  great  and  so  successful  a  general  that  it  would  be  dangerous 
to  take  him  from  the  field  and  put  him  in  command  of  the  entire  Army  of 
the  United  States. 

In  answer  to  the  first  branch  of  the  gentleman's  argument  I  have  only 
this  to  say:  we  are  now  very  near  to  the  close  of  the  third  year  of  this 
war,  and  while  it  is  true  that  many  generals  in,  the  army  may  be  up  to-day 
and  down  to-morrow,  and  that  their  fortunes  fluctuate,  is  not  true  of  the 
general  to  whom  this  legislation  applies.  His  star  has  been  steadily  rising. 
He  has  been  growing  greater  and  greater  day  by  day,  rising  from  an  ob 
scure  position,  scarcely  known  out  of  the  county  in  which  he  resided. 
By  his  masterly  ability  he  now  stands,  without  saying  any  thing  to  the 
disparagement  of  other  generals,  head  and  shoulders  over  every  other  gene 
ral  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States.  He  has  been  tried,  tried  long 
enough ;  and  if  his  star  were  to  go  down  to-morrow  he  has  still  done 
enough  to  entitle  him  to  this  prize. 

After  some  further  debate  Mr.  Ross  submitted  the  fol 
lowing  amendment,  to  be  added  to  the  act : 

And  that  we  respectfully  recommend  the  appointment  of  Major  Gene 
ral  U.  S.  Grant  for  the  position  of  lieutenant-general. 

On  this  amendment  a  spirited  debate  ensued  in  favor  of 
General  Grant,  when  Mr.  Washburne  took  the  floor  and 
said: 

I  had  not  intended  to  submit  any  remarks  on  this  bill.  I  have  made 
no  preparation  whatever  to  speak  to  its  merits ;  and  if  I  had  I  should  be 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  437 

unable  to  do  so  on  account  of  the  present  state  of  my  health.  No  subject 
of  less  importance  than  this,  no  bill  in  which  I  felt  a  loss  degree  of  in 
terest,  could  have  brought  me  to  the  House  to-day.  I  had  not  looked 
for  the  opposition  to  the  bill  which  has  been  manifested.  The  bill  hav 
ing  been  printed,  and  its  provisions  being  very  simple  and  easy  of  com 
prehension,  I  supposed  we  should  have  come  to  a  vote  without  extended 
debate,  as  every  member  of  the  House  had  undoubtedly  made  up  his 
mind  as  to  how  he  would  vote  on  the  question. 

The  proposition  is  to  revive  the  grade  of  lieutenant-general,  for  the 
purpose  of  conferring  it  not  only  for  the  recognition  of  distinguished 
and  exceptional  services  already  rendered  to  the  country,  but  for  the 
practical  purpose  of  investing  full  command  of  the  army  in  the  party 
receiving  the  appointment,  in  subordination,  of  course,  to  the  Command- 
er-in-Chief  under  the  Constitution.  I  do  not  propose  to  enter  upon 
the  reasons  which  I  supposed  would  control  the  House  in  passing  this 
bill.  Those  reasons  must  suggest  themselves  to  all  men  who  love  our 
country  and  the  flag.  They  spring  from  the  admiration  which  a  great 
and  magnanimous  people  must  ever  feel  for  deeds  of  heroism  and  for 
public  service  of  untold  value,  and  for  which  no  reward  can  be  esteemed 
too  great.  The  question  has  been  raised  as  to  who  will  be  appointed 
under  the  bill  in  the  event  of  its  passage.  I  take  it  there  is  no  gentle 
man  upon  this  floor  who  has  really  any  doubt  upon  whom  this  appoint 
ment  will  be  conferred.  Under  the  language  of  the  bill,  referring  to 
most  eminent  and  distinguished  service,  I  ihink  one  individual,  and  one 
individual  alone,  is  pointed  out  so  distinctly  that  no  man  can  misunder 
stand. 

A  great  deal  has  been  said  as  to  what  might  have  happened  if  some 
such  bill  had  passed  two  years  ago ;  that  such  or  such  a  man  might 
have  received  the  honor,  and  implying  that  the  party  upon  whom  the 
honor  may  be  conferred  under  this  bill  may  prove  himself  unworthy. 
How  much,  I  would  ask,  is  now  to  be  required  of  a  general  before  he 
can  have  the  confidence  of  this  House  ?  Has  not  General  Grant  earned 
that  confidence,  and  proved  himself  worthy  of  full  trust  in  the  greatest  posi 
tions  ?  I  demand  to  know  what  would  have  been  our  position  as  a  nation 
in  the  present  struggle  had  it  not  been  for  the  achievements  of  General  Grant? 
Where  can  you  point  to  a  series  of  greater  triumphs  than  he  has 
achieved,  a  more  complete  succession  of  victories,  which  are  unsurpassed 
in  history,  and  which  for  the  brilliancy  of  their  achievement,  and  in 
furtherance  of  the  great  cause  in  which  he  has  so  nobly  fought,  have 
made  his  name  and  his  fame  as  lasting  as  the  history  of  the  nation? 


438  GENERAL   GRANT 

I  have  spoken  of  the  interest  I  feel  in  this  bill,  but  if  I  know  myself 
it  is  a  feeling  that  rises  far  above  the  considerations  of  personal  friend 
ship  which  I  entertain  for  the  distinguished  soldier  whose  name  has 
been  connected  with  it.  /  am  not  here  to  speok  for  General  Grant.  No 
man  with  his  consent  has  ever  mentioned  his  name  in  connection  with  any 
position.  I  say  what  I  know  to  be  true  when  I  allege  that  every  pro 
motion  he  has  received  since  he  first  entered  the  service  to  put  down 
this  rebellion  was  moved  without  his  knowledge  or  consent ;  and  in 
regard  to  this  very  matter  of  lieutenant-general,  after  the  Mil  was  intro 
duced  and  his  name  mentioned  in  connection  therewith,  he  wrote  me  and 
admonished  me  that  he  had  been  highly  honored  already  by  the  Government, 
and  did  not  ask  or  deserve  any  thing  more  in  the  shape  of  honors  or  promo 
tion  ;  and  that  a  success  over  the  enemy  was  what  he  craved  above  every 
thing  else;  that  he  only  desired  to  hold  such  an  influence  over  those  under  his 
command  as  to  use  them  to  the  best  advantage  to  secure  that  end.*  Such  is 
the  language  of  this  patriotic  and  single-minded  soldier,  ambitious  only 
of  serving  his  country  and  doing  his  whole  duty.  Sir,  whatever  this 
House  may  do,  the  country  will  do  justice  to  General  Grant.  "We  can  see 
that.  I  think  I  can  appreciate  that  myself. 

After  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  a  little  less  than  two  years  ago,  a  wave  of 
calumny  and  detraction  swept  over  General  Grant  with  a  power  that 
would  have  overwhelmed  any  man  of  less  strength  and  courage.  My 
neighbor  and  my  friend,  appointed  upon  my  own  recommendation,  I 
sought  in  my  place  on  this  floor  the  earliest  occasion  to  tell  the  country 
something  of  this  general,  denunciations  of  whom  were  ringing  from 
one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other.  I  believe  I  can  say  I  scarcely  had 
the  sympathy  of  a  single  member  on  this  floor  in  making  that  speech, 
which  was  only  regarded  as  a  somewhat  extravagant  defence  of  a 
friend.  "Willing  to  take  the  responsibility  of  standing  by  my  record 
then,  I  now  appeal  to  history  for  my  justification,  and  ask  if  General  Grant 
has  not  far  transcended  every  thing  that  I  claimed  for  him. 

It  cannot  certainly,  Mr.  Speaker,  be  necessary  for  me  to  enter  into 
any  detail  of  the  services  of  General  Grant  to  the  country.  They  are 
as  familiar  as  household  words  to  our  constituents,  if  not  to  us  here. 
"Why  necessary  to  recount  that  long  list  of  triumphs  and  of  victories 
from  Belmont  to  Lookout  Mountain  ?  Look  at  what  this  man  has  done 
for  his  country,  for  humanity  and  civilization — this  modest  and  unpre 
tending  general  whom  gentlemen  appear  to  be  so  much  afraid  of.  He 

*  Another  evidence  of  General  Grant's  remarkably  retiring  modesty. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  439 

has  fought  more  battles  and  won  more  victories  than  any  man  living;  he 
has  captured  more  prisoners  and  taken  more  guns  than  any  general  of 
modern  times.  To  us  iri  the  great  valley  of  the  West  he  has  rendered 
a  service  in  opening  our  great  channel  of  communication  to  the  ocean, 
so  that  the  great  Father  of  Waters  now  goes  "unvexed  to  the  sea,  "which 
endears  him  to  all  our  hearts.  Sir,  whin  his  blue  kg  ions  crowned  the 
crest  of  Vicksburg,  and  the  hosts  of  rebddom  laid  their  arms  at  the  feet  of 
tkis  great  conqueror,  the  rebel  confederacy  was  cut  in  twain  and  the  lack- 
bone  of  the  rebellion  broken. 

I  speak  of  the  fall  of  Yicksburg.  I  might  speak  of  what  went 
before.  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  with  General  Grant,  and  with 
that  noble  army,  every  man  of  whom  is  a  hero,  at  the  commencement  of 
the  expedition  which  culminated  in  the  taking  of  Yicksburg.  We  all 
know  how  ill  at  ease  the  public  mind  was  last  winter  pending  General 
Grant's  operations  011  the  lower  Mississippi.  The  expedition  by  Gren 
ada,  the  opening  of  the  canal,  the  opening  of  the  bayous  had  not  suc 
ceeded  :  the  country  saw  all  the  attempts  to  flank  that  stronghold 
likely  to  prove  abortive,  and  there  was  great  anxiety.  But  with  un 
shaken  confidence  in  himself,  General  G-ran-t  pursued  the  even  tmor  of  his 
way,  and  with  entire  reliance  upon  his  success  in  the  plan  finally 
adopted,  and  which  could  not  be  undertaken  until  the  river  and  bayous 
should  sufficiently  recede  to  enable  them  to  move.  Then,  sir,  was  seen. 
that  bold  OMd  daring  conception  which  I  say  is  without  parallel  in  all  mili 
tary  history.  It  was  to  send  his  army  and  his  transportation  by  land  on 
the  Louisiana  side  from  Milliken's  Bend  to  a  point  below  Vicksburg,  and 
then  run  the  frowning  batteries  of  that  rebel  Gibraltar,  with  its  hun 
dreds  of  guns,  with  his  transports,  and  thus  enable  him  to  cross  the 
river  below  Yicksburg,  and  get  on  to  the  shores  of  Mississippi.  The 
country  was  startled  at  the  success  which  attended  the  running  of  those 
batteries  by  the  frail  Mississippi  steamboats  used  as  transports,  and  the 
rebels  stood  aghast  when  they  saw  seven  or  eight  transports  and  all  of 
Porter's  gunboats  below  Yicksburg. 

There  was  something  in  this  matter  of  running  those  batteries  by 
the  transports  which  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice,  as  showing 
the  indomitable  spirit  and  courage  of  that  magnificent  army.  Certain 
boats  were  detailed  for  the  extraordinary  and  hazardous  service  of  run- 
mug  the  batteries,  but,  with  one  exception,  the  crews  of  all  the  boats  re 
fused  to  go.  The  provost  marshal  was  then  ordered  to  beat  up  for  vol 
unteers.  No  sooner  was  the  notice  given  than  soldiers  rushed  in  for  the 
service,  and  at  once  many  times  the  number  that  was  called  for  was  fill- 


440  GENERAL    GRANT 

ed — pilots,  engineers,  firemen,  and  deck-hands,  in  the  greatest  numbers 
offered  themselves.  From  one  regiment,  known  as  the  Lead  Mine  regi 
ment,  raised  in  my  own  section,  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
men  and  sixteen  commisioned  officers  volunteered  for  that  dangerous 
yet  glorious  service.  The  consequence  of  all  this  was  that  resort  was 
had  to  lot  as  to  who  should  have,  the  privilege  of  risking  life  in  that  unparal 
leled  adventure.  One  noble  boy  from,  my  own  city,  who  had  drawn  the  prize, 
wa-s  offered  $100  in  greenbacks  for  his  chance,  which  he  refused  to  take,  but 
courageously  held  on  and  successfully  passed  not  only  the  Vieksburg 
but  the  Grand  Gulf  batteries.  What  language  can  do  justice  to  an 
army  animated  by  such  a  spirit  ?  What  triumphs  and  what  glories 
might  not  justly  be  expected  from  it  ? 

The  transports  and  gunboats  below  the  batteries,  the  army  reaches 
by  land  marches  Perkins's  plantation,  twenty  miles  above,  and  Hard  Times 
landing,  nearly  opposite  Grand  Gulf.  It  was  supposed  that  Admiral 
Porter,  who  always  seconded  General  Grant  with  a  zeal  equal  to  his 
courage  and  ability,  could  reduce  the  batteries  at  Grand  Gulf,  after 
which  the  troops  were  to  be  crossed  over  in  the  transports,  and  were 
to  land  and  carry  the  place  by  assault.  But  after  five  hours  and  a  half 
of  the  most  desperate  naval  fighting  ever  seen  upon  this  continent,  the 
brave  Porter  drew  off  his  shattered  fleet,  unable  to  effect  a  reduction  of 
the  principal  battery.  During  all  of  this  time  the  array  had  been  wait 
ing  with  intense  impatience  for  the  time  to  come  when  the  guns  of 
the  batteries  should  be  silenced  and  they  could  land,  and  great  was  the 
disappointment  when  it  was  known  that  the  fleet  had  failed  to  reduce 
the  works.  It  seemed  then  that  all  had  miscarried,  and  that  the  expe 
dition,  on  which  so  many  hopes  hung,  would  be  a  failure. 

At  that  moment  ivas  seen  in  General  Grant  that  greatest  of  all  gifts  of  a 
military  man — tlic  gift  of  deciding  instantly  amid  the  pressure  of  the  great 
est  emergencies.  I  was  with  him  when  Porter  reported  his  inability  to 
reduce  the  batteries,  and  in  an  instant  he  made  his  new  dispositions,  and 
gave  his  orders.  They  were,  to  debark  all  his  troops,  and  march  them 
down  three  miles  below  Grand  Gulf,  "and,"  said  he,  "after  nightfall  I 
will  run  every  transport  I  have  below  their  batteries,  and  not  one  shall 
be  injured.."  And,  sure  enough,  when  it  became  dark,  Porter  again  at 
tacked  the  batteries  with  his  fleet,  and  amid  the  din  and  clatter  of  the 
attack,  the  transports  all  safely  passed  Grand  Gulf.  And,  sir,  it  was  a 
noble  sight  as  this  grand  army  was  about  to  bivouac  at  Disharoon  land 
ing,  three  miles  below  Grand  Gulf,  with  their  camp  fires  burning  brightly 
on  that  soft  April  night,  when  these  transports,  one  by  one,  escaping  all 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  441 

serious  injury  from  the  terrific  tempest  through  which  they  had  passed, 
rounded  to,  responding  to  eager  inquiries,  "All  is  well,"  and  which 
was  followed  by  such  a  shout  as  our  brave  and  patriotic  soldiers  only 
can  give. 

Early  the  next  morning  this  whole  army  was  again  embarked  on 
board  the  gunboats  arid  transports,  bound  down  the  Mississippi,  for 
"  Cowes  and  a  market,"  for  some  place  where  a  landing  could  be  made  on 
solid  ground  on  the  Mississippi  side.  And  that  was  a  proud  spectacle 
when  the  grim  old  iron-clad  Benton,  the  flag-ship  of  Admiral  Porter,  on 
which  was  General  Grunt,  led  the  way  down  the  river,  the  entire  fleet 
and  the  transports  following.  She  landed  at  a  dilapidated  plantation 
called  Bruinsburg,  and  General  Grant  was  the  first  man  to  go  ashore  to 
seek  information.  He  there  met  a  loyal  "  American  citizen  of  African 
descent,"  who  gave  him  trustworthy  information  in  regard  to  the  coun 
try  and  the  roads  into  the  interior.  Instantly  the  debarkation  of  the 
troops  commenced,  and  the  line  of  march  taken  up  toward  Port  Gibson. 
Before  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  May  1,  1863,  the  enemy  was  en 
countered,  and  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson,  the  first  of  the  series  resulting 
in  the  capture  of  Yicksburg,  was  fought  during  that  whole  day,  ending 
finally  in  the  complete  rout  of  the  enemy. 

And  that  which  must  ever  be  regarded  by  the  historian  as  the  most 
extraordinary  feature  of  this  campaign,  is  the  astounding  fact  that  when 
General  Grant  landed  in  the  State  of  Mississippi  and  made  -his  campaign  in 
the  enemy's  country,  he  had  a  smaller  force  than  the  enemy.  There  he 
was,  in  the  enemy's  country,  cut  off,  in  a  measure,  from  his  supplies, 
with  a  great  river  in  his  roar,  and  in  one  of  the  most  defensible  of  coun 
tries,  through  which  he  had  to  pass.  To  his  idomitable  courage  and  en 
ergy,  to  his  unparalleled  celerity  of  movement,  striking  the  enemy  in  detail, 
and  beating  him  on  every  field,  is  the  country  indebted  to  those  wonderful 
successes  of  that  campaign  which  have  not  only  challenged  the  gratitude 
and  admiration  of  our  own  countrymen,  but  the  admiration  of  the 
best  military  men  of  all  nations.  My  colleague  [Mr.  Farnsworth]  has 
well  said  that  General  Grant  is  no  "  carpet  knight."  If  gentlemen  could 
know  him  as  I  know  him,  and  as  his  soldiers  know  him,  they  would  not 
be  so  reluctant  about  conferring  this  honor.  If  they  could  have  seen  him 
as  I  saw  him  on  that  expedition;  if  they  could  have  witnessed  his  terri 
ble  earnestness,  his  devotion  to  his  duty,  his  cr.,t,  .7ife  vigilance,  and  his  un 
challenged  courage,  I  think  their  opposition  to  this  bill  would  give  way. 

When  he  left  his  head-quarters  at  "Smith's  plantation,"  below  Vicks- 
burg,  to  enter  on  that  great  campaign,  he  did  not  take  with  him  the 


442  GENERAL   GRANT 

trappings  and  paraphernalia  so  common  to  many  military  men.  As  all 
depended  on  quickness  of  movement,  and  as  it  was  important  to  be  en 
cumbered  with  as  little  baggage  as  possible,  he  set  an  example  to  all  un 
der  him.  He  took  with  him  neither  a  horse,  nor  an  orderly,  nor  a  servant, 
nor  a  camp  chest,  nor  an  overcoat,  nor  a  blanket,  nor  even  a  clean  shirt. 
His  entire  baggage  for  six  days — I  was  with  him  at  that  time — was  a 
tooth  brush.  He  fared  like  the  commonest  soldier  in  his  command,  par 
taking  of  his  rations  and  sleeping  upon  the  ground,  with  no  covering 
excepting  the  canopy  of  heaven.  How  could  such  a  soldier  fail  to  inspire 
confidence  in  an  army,  and  to  lead  it  to  victory  and  to  glory  ?  Confer 
upon  him  the  rank  contemplated  by  this  bill,  and  you  excite  the  enthu 
siasm  of  all  your  armies,  and  all  your  soldiers  will  be  eager  to  follow  his 
victorious  banners ! 

But,  gentlemen  say,  wait  and  confer  this  rank  when  the  war  is  over. 
Sir,  I  want  it  conferred  now,  because  it  is  my  most  solemn  and  earnest 
conviction  that  General  Grant  is  the  man  upon  whom  we  must  depend  to  fight 
out  this  rebellion  in  the  field,  and  bring  this  war  to  a  speedy  and  trium- 
' pliant  close.  It  is  said  that  he  will  have  to  leave  his  army  if  this  rank  is 
conferred  upon  him  and  come  to  AVashington.  Let  me  say  to  gentlemen 
that  they  need  have  no  uneasiness  upon  that  score.  General  Grant,  if 
this  appointment  shall  be  conferred  upon  him,  will  never  leave  the  field, 
but  he  will  be  with  his  army  wherever  his  presence  is  most  needed ;  he  will 
be  with  his  soldiers  to  lead  them  on  in  this  gigantic  struggle  to  preserve 
our  God-given  Government,  in  which  he,  in  common  with  all  loyal  men, 
has  so  great  an  interest. 

After  a  few  brief  remarks  from  other  members,  Mr. 
Ross's  amendment  was  carried  by  117  votes  against  19. 
The  bill  so  amended  was  finally  passed  and  sent  to  the 
Senate  for  their  action. 

The  Senate  having  confirmed  the  bill,  so  far  as  it  revived 
the  grade  of  Lieutenant-Generals,  and  the  President  hav 
ing,  on  March  1st,  approved  the  same,  Major-Gen eral 
Ulysses  S.  Grant  was  nominated  by  President  Lincoln  for 
that  high  rank.  On  the  2d  of  March,  1804,  the  nomina 
tion  was  confirmed  by  the  Senate  in  Executive  Session, 
and  he  became  the  ranking  officer  of  the  United  States 
Army. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  143 


CHAPTER    LVII. 

PREPARING   FOR   A   NEW   CAMPAIGN. 

GENERAL  GRANT  had  no  sooner  finished  one  campaign 
before  he  began  making  his  plans  for  another  still  more 
brilliant.  He  forwarded  to  Washington  his  views  of  the 
way  the  war  in  the  southwest  should  be  conducted  to  in 
sure  the  earliest  and  most  complete  suppression  of  the 
rebellion.  What  these  views  are  in  detail  will  be  devel 
oped  by  time  ;  but  among  other  recommendations  that  of 
a  concerted  movement  of  all  our  armies  under  one  policy, 
and,  so  far  as  practicable,  under  one  direction,  was  the 
principal  feature  of  General  Grant's  project. 

In  alluding  to  this  plan,  a  correspondent  at  Chattanooga 
wrote  as  follows : 

Assuming  that  it  is  true  that  General  Grant  has  forwarded  to 
"Washington  his  plan — afid  whether  he  has  or  not  can  be  ascertained  by 
inquiry  at  the  proper  department — no  one  will  question  his  title  to  do 
so,  or  the  weight  his  recommendations  should  have.  Standing  before 
the  country  the  first  General  in  the  field,  with  results  proving  his  great 
abilities,  almost  marvellous,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  for  an  instant  that 
his  views  will  fail  to  excite  the  greatest  interest.  To  suppose  that  they 
will  not  enter  largely  into  the  future  conduct  of  the  war  is  to  imply  a 
disposition  to  deny  him  the  influence  his  great  services  entitle  him  to 
have,  and  a  suspicion  that  the  powers  at  Washington  are  inimical  to 
the  General,  whom  the  country  recognizes  as  not  only  having  done 
most,  but  as  best  qualified  to  give  counsel.  It  may,  therefore,  con 
fidently  be  expected  that  the  future  movements  of  our  armies  and  the 
policy  that  will  prevail  in  the  campaigns  to  follow,  will  be  much  in  ac 
cordance  with  the  suggestions  of  General  Grant. 


444  GENERAL   GRANT 

I  do  not  pretend  to  speak  from  authority.  If  General  Grant  lias  not 
presented  his  views  nothing  will  be  heard  of  them  at  "Washington.  If 
he  has,  we  may  safely  assume  that  no  time  will  be  lost  in  giving  them 
that  consideration  to  which  the.  great  eminence  of  the  author  entitles 
them.* 

The  Congress  at  Washington,  however,  gave  evidence 
of  their  desire  to  forward  General  Grant's  plans,  and 
Senator  Howe,  of  Wisconsin,  offered  the  following  joint 
resolution  on  the  7th  of  January,  1864,  under  the  plea  of 
releasing  the  prisoners  within  the  rebel  lines : 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  Congress 
assembled : 

SEC.  1.  That  the  President  of  the  United  Staks  is  hereby  authorized  and 
requested  to  call  out  and  arm  one  million  of  volunteers  to  serve  for  the  period 
of  ninety  days  unless  sooner  discharged,  and  to  be  employed  to  carry 
food  and  freedom  to  every  captive  held  in  rebel  prisons,  and  to  plant  the 
flag  of  the  United  States  upon  every  prison  they  occupy. 

SEC.  2.  That  the  President  be  requested  to  assign  Major- General  Ulysses 
S.  Grant  to  the  command  of  the  forces  raised  under  this  caU,  together  with 
such  of  the  forces  now  in  the  field  as  may  be  joined  with  them,  and  he  is 
hereby  authorized  to  detail  for  the  subordinate  commands  in  the  forces 
to  be  raised  under  the  authority  of  these  resolutions,  such  officers  or 
privates  now  in  the  field  as  he  may  deem  best  qualified  therefor ;  or  he 
may  assign  to  such  commands  any  person  or  persons  who  may  vol 
unteer  under  the  same  authority;  provided,  Jtowever,  that  any  officer 
or  private,  now  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  who  may 
be  detailed  to  any  such  command  by  authority  hereby,  shall  receive  no 
additional  pay  for  such  substituted  service ;  and  no  volunteer,  under 
the  same  authority,  who  shall  be  detailed  to  any  such  command,  shall 
receive  more  pay  than  the  pay  of  a  private. 

In  the  mean  time  General  Grant  devoted  his  attention 
to  the  minor  duties  connected  with  his  immediate  depart 
ment. 

Many  of  the  rebel  troops  finding  that  all  hope  for  the 
establishment  of  a  Southern  Confederacy  had  passed  away, 

*  Nfw  York  Time*,  December,  IS 63. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  445 

and  that  whenever  General  Grant  moved  victory  was  al 
ways  his  constant  attendant,  began  to  desert  from  their 
ranks,  and  came  within  the  Union  lines  in  large  numbers. 
To  prevent  them  from  being  retaken*and  summarily  pun 
ished  by  the  rebel  authorities,  the  commanding  General 
issued  the  following  order  for  their  disposition  and  pro 
tection  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OP     } 

THE  MISSISSIPPI,  LV  THE  FlELI), 

CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  December  12,  18G3.  ) 
[General  Orders,  No.  10.] 

To  obtain  uniformity  in  the  disposition  of  deserters  from  the  Con 
federate  armies  coming  within  this  military  division,  the  following  order 
is  published: 

I.  All  deserters  from  the  enemy  coming  within  our  lines  will  be  con 
ducted  to  the  commander  of  division  or  detached  brigade  who  shall  be 
nearest  the  place  of  surrender. 

II.  If  such  commander  is  satisfied  that  the  deserters  desire  to  quit 
the  Confederate  service,  he  may  permit  them  to  go  to  their  homes,  if 
within  our  lines,  on  taking  the  following  oath  : 

THE    OATH. 

"  I  do  solemnly  swear  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  that  I  will 
henceforth  faithfully  support,  protect,  and  defend  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States  and  the  Union  of  States  thereunder,  and  that  I  will 
in  like  manner  abide  by  and  faithfully  support  all  acts  of  Congress 
passed  during  the  existing  rebellion  with  reference  to  slaves,  so  long 
and  so  far  as  not  yet  repealed,  modified,  or  held  void  by  Congress  or  by 
decision  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  that  I  will  in  like  manner  abide  by 
.  and  faithfully  support  all  proclamations  of  the  President  made  during 
the  existing  rebellion  having  reference  to  slaves,  so  long  and  so  far  as 
not  modified  or  declared  void  by  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court,  so  help 
me  God. 
"  Sworn  and  subscribed  to  before  me  at *-this day  of 186  ." 

III.  Deserters  from  the  enemy  will  at  once  be  disarmed,  and  their 
arms  turned  over  to  the  nearest  Ordnance  Officer,  who  will  account  for 
them. 

IV.  Passes  and  rations  may  bo  given  to  deserters  to  carry  them  to 
their  homes,  and  free  passes  over  military  railroads  and  on  steamboats 
in  Government  employ. 


446  GENERAL    GRANT 

Y.  Employment  at  fair  wages  will,  when  practicable,  be  given  to 
deserters  by  officers  of  the  Quartermaster  and  Engineer  Departments. 

To  avoid  the  danger  of  re-capture  of  such  deserters  by  the  enemy,  they  will 
oe  exempt  from  the  military  service  in  the  armies  of  the  United  States. 

By  order  of  **  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  A.  A.-G. 

General  Grant  also  issued  an  order  that  "  no  encourage 
ment  will  be  given  to  traders  or  army  followers,  who  have 
left  their  homes  to  avoid  enrollment  or  the  draft,  and  to 
speculate  upon  the  soldiers'  pay;  and  this  class  of  persons 
will  not  be  tolerated  in  the  armies  of  the  Military  Di 
vision  of  the  Mississippi." 

He  also  promulgated  orders  for  the  better  protection  of 
the  property  of  loyal  citizens  residing  within  the  rebellious 
States,  and  for  the  proper  seizure  of  the  effects  of  rebels 
forfeited  to  the  United  States  under  the  special  act  of  Con 
gress  passed  for  that  purpose. 

The  following  are  the  orders  alluded  to  : 

HEAD- QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  ) 
THE  MISSISSIPPI,  IN  THE  FlELD,        V 
CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  December  13,  1863.  ) 
[General  Orders,  Noll.]  » 

All  Quartermasters  within  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi 
who  now  have,  or  may  hereafter  receive,  moneys  for  rents  accruing 
from  abandoned  property,  or  property  known  to  belong  to  Secessionists 
within  this  Military  Division,  are  hereby  directed  to  pay  such  moneys 
into  the  hands  of  the  nearest  Treasury  Agent,  taking  his  receipt  there-, 
for,  excepting  such  sums  out  of  said  moneys  so  collected  as  may  be 
requisite  to  pay  the  necessary  expenses  of  collection  and  the  taxes  due 
the  United  States  upon  the  same. 

Any  property  now  held  by  any  Quartermaster,  and  upon  which  rents 
are  collected  by  him,  shall,  when  satisfactorily  proven  to  belong  to 
loyal  citizens,  be  restored  to  the  possession  of  the  owners,  together 
with  all  moneys  collected  for  rents  upon  the  same,  excepting  only 
such  sums  as  may  be  required  to  pay  the  necessary  expenses  of  collec 
tion,  and  the  taxes  due  to  the  United  States  upon  the  same. 

Department  and  Corps  Commanders  and  Commandants  of  Military 


AND   HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  447 

Posts  and  Stations  within  this  Military  Division,  are  hereby  required  and 
directed,  whenever  called  upon  by  proper  authority,  to  promptly  afford 
all  necessary  assistance  in  enforcing  the  collection  of  the  taxes  due 
upon  all  property  within  this  command. 

Corps  Commanders  within  this  Military  Division  are  directed  to 
immediately  seize,  or  cause  to  be  seized,  all  County  Records  and  docu 
ments  showing  titles  and  claims  to  property  within  the  revolted  States 
in  their  respective  districts,  and  hold  the  same  until  they  can  be  deliv 
ered  to  an  authorized  Tax  Commissioner  of  the  United  States. 

Where  property  is  used  by  the  Government  without  paying  rent, 
the  collection  of  taxes  on  it  will  be  suspended  until  further  orders. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  A.  A.-G. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OP  ) 

THE  MISSISSIPPI,  IN  THE  FlELD,         V 

CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  December  16,  1863. ) 
[General  Orders,  No.  12.] 

1.  All  seizures  of  private  buildings  will  be  made  by  the  Quarter 
master's  Department,  on  the  order  of  the  commanding  officer.     The 
buildings  of  disloyal  persons  alone,  will  be  taken  to  furnish  officers  with 
quarters,  and  the  need  for  public  offices  and  storehouses  must  be  sup 
plied  in  preference. 

2.  When  the  urgent  exigencies  of  the  service  require  it,  the  buildings 
of  loyal  persons  may  be  taken  for  storehouses  and  offices,  but  only 
after  all  suitable  buildings  belonging  to  disloyal  persons  have  been 
seized. 

3.  In  the  seizure  of  buildings,  the  owner  will  be  allowed  to  retain  all 
movables  except  the  means  of  heating. 

4.  All  officers  will  remain  in  the  immediate  vicinity   of 'their  com 
mands,  and  if  having  a  less  command  than  a  division  or  a  post,  when 
the  command  is  in  tents  they  will  occupy  tents  themselves. 

5.  Commanding   officers   are   prohibited   from   quartering  troops   in 
houses,  without  the  special  written  authority  of  the  General  command 
ing  the  Corps  or  Department  to  which  they  belong. 

6.  In   furnishing   quarters   to   officers  not   serving  with  troops,  the 
Quartermaster's  Department  will  be  governed  by  existing  regulations. 

7.  Ten  days  after  the  receipt  and  distribution  of  this  order,  Corps 
Commanders  will  cause  an  inspection  of  their  commands  to  be  made  by 
their  Assistant  Inspectors   General,  r.nd  will  arrest  and  prefer  charges 
against  every  officer  who  may  be  occupying-  quarters  not  assigned   tn 


448  GENERAL   GRANT 

Mm  by  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  or  in  violation  of  paragraph  4 
of  this  order. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

T.  S.  BOWERS,  A.  A.-G. 

General  Grant,  ever  mindful  of  the  comforts  of  the  sol 
diers  under  his  command,  ordered  the  following  important 
notice  to  be  sent  on  Dec.  22,  1863,  from  the  office  of  the 
Chief  Quartermaster  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  prevent  any 
stoppage  of  the  supplies  to  his  army : 

All  requisitions  made  by  Captain  J.  A.  Potter,  Assistant  Quarter 
master  United  States  Army,  for  military  supplies,  will  be  immediately 
and  promptly  filled. 

In  case  of  delay  or  refusal  on  the  part  of  any  railroad,  Captain 
Potter  is  authorized  to  take  such  means  as  may  be  necessar}r  to  enforce 
compliance. 

By  order  of  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

ROBERT  ALLEN,  Brig. -Gen." and  Chief  Quartermaster. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  449 


CHAPTER  LVIII. 

GEN.  GRANT  PERSONALLY  INSPECTS  HIS  GRAND  DEPARTMENT. 

HAVING  thus  secured  all  that  appeared  at  that  time  to 
require  his  personal  attention,  General  Grant  determined  to 
visit  the  outposts  of  his  department,  and  left  Chattanooga 
for  Xashville. 

An  army  correspondent  at  the  former  place  thus  records 
his  departure: 

Gen.  Grant  left  Chattanooga  yesterday  on  the  noble  and  fast-sailing 
government  steam  packet  Point  Rock,  en  route  for  Nashville  and  Louis 
ville.  Head-quarters  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi  will 
soon  be  established  in  the  last-named  town.  Gen.  Sherman  accom 
panied  him. 

Gen.  Grant  has  not  yet  entirely  recovered  from  the  effect  of  the 
injuries  received  by  the  fall  from  his  horse  last  summer,  and  the  sickness 
has  made  sad  work  with  his  once  robust  frame.  He  walks  slowly, 
sometimes  with  a  cane,  and  has  come  to  stoop  a  very  little.  But 
the  cheery  look,  which  brightens  into  a  cordial  smile  so  rapidly,  does 
not  convey  any  idea  of  suffering.  The  soldiers  and  sub-officers  at 
Chattanooga  will  miss  him  very  much;  for  they  had  cause  to  know  him 
from  his  daily  walk  in  the  streets  among  them.  "Then,  Grant  is  so 
easy  to  approach,"  say  they.  If  a  sub-omcor  or  private  wishes  to  gain 
the  private  ear  of  the  General,  and  the  request  is  well  founded,  it  is  not 
necessary  to  wade  through  a  "regular  channel !"  of  thirty-two  gorgeous 
and  curt  staff  officers  to  see  the  chief.  General  Grant  will  have  no  one 
between  him  and  his  army  but  his  adjutant,  Brigadier- General  Rawlings, 
who  is  a  hearty,  jovial,  plain-spoken,  hard-working  staff  officer,  jusfc 

such  as  is  indispensable  to  an  energetic  chief  like  "  Old  Yicksburg."  * 

• 

*  Mr.  Westfall's  dispatch  (Dec.  19,  1SG4)  to  New  York  Herald. 


450  GENERAL   GRANT 

Another  correspondent  announces  Gen.  Grant's  arrival 
at  Nashville  in  the  following  language : 

The  first  soldier  of  the  times,  the  hero  of  Donelson,  Yicksburg,  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  is  also  hero.  General  Grant  arrived  on  Saturday- 
last,  December  20,  1863,  occupying  for  a  few  days  his  head-quarters  on 
High  street,  the  same  once  occupied  by  General  Rosecrans,  being  the 
mansion  of  the  well-known  rebel,  George  Cunningham,  and  one  of  the 
stateliest  in  Nashville.  The  General  is  a  man  of  medium  height,  rather 
spare  than  otherwise,  and  of  far  less  pretentious  appearance  than  many 
a  second  lieutenant  frequently  seen  flashing  his  finery  before  the  eyes 
of  wondering  beholders.  His  apparel  is  plain,  and  a  trifle,  perhaps, 
neglige,  as  a  man  of  his  celebrity  can  very  well  afford  that  it  should  be 
• — or,  perhaps,  just  come  in  from  the  engrossing  cares  and  toils  of  a 
brilliant  field,  the  spruce  exterior  of  the  martinet  seemed  specially  un 
worthy  of  attention.  His  face  is  but  little  striking.  Dark  brown  hair 
surmounts  a  brow  straight  and  square,  though  of  no  unusual  apparent 
capacity.  His  blue  eyes  are  sharp  and  expressive,  while  his  nose,  not 
quite  straight  enough  for  Grecian,  is  delicate  as  well  as  bold  in  outline. 
A  short-cut  reddish  beard  and  mustache  conceal  mouth  and  chin,  which 
one  is  sure,  from  the  general  contour,  must  express  decision  and  energy. 

This  countenance  seen  in  repose,  with  the  smoke  of  a  Havana  (General 
Grant  is  no  exception  to  the  all  but  universal  practice  in  the  army  of 
using  the  fragrant  weed)  curling  up  around  it,  who  would  be  likely  to 
identify  it  as  belonging  to  the  most  successful  of  all  our  warriors,  par 
excellence,  and  beyond  a  doubt  the  greatest?  Simplicity,  indeed,  as  well 
in  dress  as  in  address  and  manner,  though  not  inseparable  from  real 
greatness,  is  its  most  frequent  and  appropriate  attendant.  General  Grant 
has  the  substantial  without  the  showy.  Simple  as  a  child,  modest  and  un 
assuming,  of  high  honor  and  blamekss  integrity,  no  man  could  wear  more 
becomingly  the  clustering  chaplets  he  has  so  gloriously  earned.  The 
President  may  well  felicitate  himself  in  having  retained  General  Grant 
in  command  against  the  strongest  pressure  for  his  removal.  The  result 
has  fully  vindicated  the  President's  discernment  and  sagacity,  and  se 
cured  a  leader  to  our  armies  in  whom  they  and  the  whole  country  re 
pose  a  confidence  hardly  second  to  that  which  the  Chief  Magistrate  him 
self  enjoys.  With  such  a  leader  the  future  will  be  sure  to  have  other 
great  successes  in  store,  and  the  campaign  about  to  open,  to  harbinger 
the  rebellion's  speedy  downfall.*  * 

*  New  York  Times  Nashville  correspondence,  December  23,  1863. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  451 

The  commander  did  not  stay  longer  at  Nashville  than 
was  necessary  to  secure  active  work  on  the  railroad  com 
munications  with  Chattanooga,  and  in  a  few  days  his  de 
parture  was  announced  for  Knoxville.  He  had  heard  that 
the  communications  with  that  post  had  been  much  cut  up 
and  endangered,  and,  therefore,  after  a  brief  stay,  he  left 
the  State  capital  for  that  point  of  his  department. 

While  at  Knoxville  he  felt  desirous  of  ascertaining  the 
condition  of  the  roads  between  that  place  and  Louisville, 
by  way  of  Cumberland  Gap,  and  he  resolved  upon  making 
a  personal  examination  of  that  line  of  travel. 

The  following  dispatch  will  show  the  amount  of  hardship 
he  endured  to  gain  the  desired  information,  and  his  recep 
tion  along  the  route : 

LOUISVILLE,  KY.,  January  11,  1864. 

General  U.  S.  Grant  arrived  here  this  afternoon  from  Knoxville,  having 
just  completed  a  six  days'  campaign  against  Jack  Frost.  He  and  his  staff 
left  Knoxville  on  the  5th  instant,  and  crossed  the  country  by  way  of 
Cumberland  Gap,  Barboursville,  Big  Hill,  Richmond,  and  Lexington,  to 
this  city,  having  to  encounter  the  coldest  weather  and  deepest  snow  known 
there  for  thirty  years.  The  trip  was  a  most  terrible  one — the  officers 
having  to  walk  a  great  part  of  the  way,  driving  their  nearly  frozen  ani 
mals  before  them.  The  descent  of  the  Gap  and  of  Big  Hill  is  represented 
to  have  been  not  only  difficult  but  dangerous,  and  had  an  army  been  com 
pelled  at  this  time  to  cross  those  mountains  the  task  would  not  have 
been  much  less  terrible  than  Macdonald's  passage  of  the  Spleigen. 
General  Grant  had  a  much  easier  and  shorter  route  to  Nashville  by  way 
of  Chattanooga ;  but  he  chose  this  difficult  and  dangerous  one  solely  from  a 
desire  to  see  for  himself  the  capabilities  of  the  country  and  route  for  supply 
ing  General  Foster's  army.  It  is  this  personal  attention  to  important  de 
tails  and  his  aggressive  style  of  warfare  which  is  the  secret  of  General 
Grant's  great  success.  This  difficult  journey,  undertaken  at  this  time,  is 
indicative  of  the  indomitable  energy  of  the  man. 

At  Lexington,  Kentucky,  General  Grant  met  with  a  spontaneous  recep 
tion  from  the  citizens.  The  town  was  crowded  with  the  country  visitors, 
and  nothing  would  satisfy  them  but  a  speech.  The  General,  however, 
contented  himself  with  making  his  appearance.  The  people  insisted  on 


452  GENERAL   GRANT 

his  getting  upon  a  chair  that  he  might  be  seen  to  better  advantage,  and, 
half  pushed  by  General  Leslie  Coombs,  General  Grant  mounted  the  im 
provised  rostrum.  General  Coombs  then  introduced  him  in  a  neat  little 
speech,  in  which  he  said  that  "  General  Grant  had  told  him  in  confidence 
— and  he  would  not  repeat  it — that  he  never  had  made  a  speech,  knew 
nothing  about  speech-making,  and  had  no  disposition  to  learn."  After 
satisfying  the  curiosity  of  the  people,  but  without  ever  having  opened 
his  mouth,  General  Grant  dismounted  from  his  chair  and  retired,  amid 
the  cheers  of  the  assemblage. 

His  arrival  at  the  Gait  House  was  not  generally  known,  and  few  who 
had  not  looked  at  the  books  suspected  that  the  little  man  in  faded  blue 
overcoat,  with  heavy  red  whiskers  and  keen,  bright  eyes,  the  hero  of  the 
two  rebel  Gibraltars  of  Vicksburg  and  Chattanooga,  stood  before  them. 
This  people  have  been  so  used  to  and  surfeited  with  brilliantly  dressed  and 
cleanly  shaven  staff  officers,  with  every  pretence  star  or  double  star  that 
has  flitted  across  this  horizon,  that  they  never  dreamed  of  recognizing  in 
the  blue  overcoated  men  who  figured  in  the  scene  with  him,  the  ad 
mirable  and  hard-working  staff-officers  who  have  aided  in  no  little  de 
gree  to  General  Grant's  success.  General  Grant  was  accompanied  by 
General  Wilson,  Colonel  Duff,  Colonel  T.  S.  Bowers,  and  others  of  his 
staff.  The  party  are  to  leave  in  the  morning  train  for  Nashville,  where 
General  Grant  establishes  his  head-quarters  for  the  present.* 

On  the  12th  of  January,  1864,  a  telegraphic  dispatch  an 
nounced  that  railroad  communication  was  opened  between 
Louisville  and  Chattanooga,  A  private  letter  from  Chat 
tanooga  states  that  when  the  first  train  of  cars  from  Bridge 
port  arrived  at  the  military  post,  the  fact  caused  the 
greatest  rejoicing  throughout  the  whole  army,  and  that 
our  soldiers,  who  had  for  so  many  months  been  on  short 
rations  were  soon  revelling  in  plenty. 

General  Grant  immediately  began  the  collection  of  a 
large  amount  of  supplies  at  Chattanooga  preparatory  to 
the  opening  of  the  spring  campaign. 

The  following  extract  will  give  some  idea  of  the  laboi 
required  to  effect  this  desirable  result : 

*  Mr.  W.  F.  G.  Shanks's  dispatch  to  the  New  York  Herald. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  453 

An  announcement  of  great  importance  appeared  in  our  Chattanooga 
dispatch  of  yesterday.  It  was,  that  at  the  close  of  this  week  the  cars 
would  run  through  to  Chattanooga.  Only  those  thoroughly  informed  of 
the  vast  amount  of  labor  required  to  get  the  road  iu  order  will  appreciate 
the  victory  that  has  been  won  by  our  soldiers  and  mechanics.  The  heavy 
force  that  has  been  employed  in  building  the  bridge  over  the  Tennessee 
River  and  Falling  "Waters  was  next  used  to  put  the  road  in  perfect  order 
from  Nashville  to  Bridgeport.  This  road  had  heretofore  been  in  a 
wretched  condition.  The  track  had  been  constantly  giving  way,  and 
the  trains  have  been  badly  damaged  by  accidents.  The  utmost  energy 
was  displayed  to  make  this  road  first-class,  and  equip  it  so  that  not  only 
can  our  army  at  Chattanooga  be  thoroughly  supplied,  but  provisions  and 
ammunition,  pork,  bread,  salt,  cartridges,  clothing — the  necessaries  of 
life  for  a  great  army — be  accumulated  for  next  spring's  campaign.  The 
road  swarmed  with  laborers  from  end  to  end,  until  this  was  accomplished. 
With  a  good  road,  the  furloughed  soldiers  can  be  sent  home  promptly,  and 
the  trains  returned  ponderous  with  military  indispensables.  It  was  no  less 
important  to  General  Grant  than  the  reorganization  and  re-enforcement 
of  his  army,  that  the  railroad  should  be  efficient.  It  would  be  vain  to 
gather  the  manly  strength  of  the  nation  at  Chattanooga  if  we  could  not 
send  to  that  point  that  which  is  needed  to  provide  the  men  for  the  pres 
ent,  and  give  them  a  depot  of  supplies  for  the  future.  Therefore,  we 
regard  the  construction  of  the  road  to  Chattanooga  as  a  significant  victory. 
It  means  as  much  in  the  direction  of  overcoming  the  rebellion,  as  if  we 
had  gained  another  battle  in  East  Tennessee  or  Northern  Georgia.* 

On  the  13th  of  January  General  Grant  was  in  Nashville, 
having  made  the  circuit  of  his  deparment  in  the  most  in 
clement  season  of  the  year. 

It  was  by  this  personal  superintendence  of  every  little 
detail  that  he  has  heretofore  been  victorious,  and  was  en 
abled  to  prepare  for  a  vigorous  campaign  at  the  opening 
up  the  spring  of  1864. 

A  Washington  correspondent  sent  the  following  para 
graph  to  a  prominent  daily  paper  during  February,  1864  : 

An  officer  just  in  from  General  Grant's  head-quarters  states  that  all 
through  the  country  to  the  rear  of  the  Union  lines  a  Union  officer,  in  his  uni- 

*   Cincinnati  Commercial,  January  14,  1864. 


454 


GENERAL    GRANT 


form,  can  ride  unmolested  to  any  portions  of  Mississippi,  Tennessee,  and  Ala 
bama,  halting  at  farm-houses  along  the  road  for  such  refreshments  and  shelter 
as  he  may  desire.* 

What  an  evidence  of  the  superiority  of  management  of 
the  departments  in  that  region  is  set  forth  in  the  foregoing 
short  paragraph. 

The  following,  concerning  the  manner  in  which  the  com 
mander  of  the  forces  in  the  Southwest  carries  out  his  cam 
paigns,  appeared  recently  in  a  public  journal : 

General  Grant  appears  to  have  been  acting  from  the  beginning  of  his 
first  campaign  upon  a  fixed  principle — to  take  away  from  the  rebels  what 
ever  they  declare  themselves  least  able  to  spare.  In  January,  1862,  it  was 
rumored  that  the  rebel  capital  would  presently  be  removed  to  Nash 
ville.  Grant  determined  to  be  beforehand  with  Davis,  moved  upon  the 
works  of  Port  Donelson,  and  after  very  unhandsomely  capturing  the 
garrison,  with  General  Buckner,  took  possession  of  Nashville. 

Next  Mr.  Davis  announced  to  all  the  world  that  the  fate  of  the  Con 
federacy  depended  upon  the  fate  of  Vicksburg.  .  Hereupon  Grant 
moved  down  and  captured  that  place. 

East  Tennessee  was  next  declared  to  be  absolutely  necessary  to  the 
safety  of  the  rebel  cause.  The  untiring  Grant  no  sooner  heard  this  than 
he  sent  Sherman  to  Knoxville  to  drive  off  Longstreet,  and  leisurely 
drove  Bragg  away  from  Chattanooga.f 

*  New  York  Tribune.         f  New  York  Evening  Post,  February,  1864. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  455 


CHAPTER  LIX. 

GENERAL  GRANT  AT  ST.  LOUIS. PUBLIC  DINNER. 

ON  the  26th  of  January,  1864,  having  satisfied  himself 
that  all  was  right  in  his  grand  department,  General  Grant 
visited  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  his 
child,  who  was  there  lying  sick. 

The  knowledge  of  General  Grant's  arrival  in  that  city 
was  gained  by  some  visitors  inspecting  the  book  of  the 
hotel  where  he  had  put  up.  The  entry  was  simply  as  fol 
lows  : 

"U.  S.  GR^NT,  CHATTANOOGA." 

That  entry,  modest  and  simple  as  it  was,  spoke  volumes ; 
for,  hidden  under  those  seven  letters  that  composed  his 
name  and  initials,  lay  unseen  the  titles  of  "  Major-General 
of  the  United  States  Army,"  "  Conqueror  of  Vicksburg  and 
Chattanooga,"  "  Grand  Commander  of  the  Military  Divi 
sion  of  the  Mississippi."  It  did  not  require  to  be  written, 
for  it  was  all  embraced  in  "  U.  S.  Grant." 

As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  General  Grant  was 
really  in  St.  Louis — it  had  been  doubted  by  many  that  so 
great  a  general  could  have  entered  their  city  without  a 
brilliant  escort,  or  his  advent  being  heralded  by  a  flourish 
of  trumpets  and  rolling  of  drums — the  citizens  prepared  to 
give  him  a  reception  worthy  of  his  deeds.  No  occasion 
had  occurred  since  the  commencement  of  the  war  in  which 
St.  Louis  had  more  cheerfully  united  to  do  honor  to  one 
worthy  of  the  gratitude  of  all. 


456  GENERAL   GRANT 

The  following  invitation  to  a  public  dinner  was  tendered 
to  General  Grant  by  the  citizens  of  St.  Louis : 

ST.  Louis,  January  27,   1864. 
To  Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT: 

DEAR  SIR: — Your  fellow- citizens  of  St.  Louis,  in  common  with  all  the 
loyal  men  of  the  republic,  have  witnessed  with  the  highest  admiration 
your  patriotic  devotion,  unsurpassed  services,  and  commanding  success 
in  the  various  military  positions  occupied  by  you  from  the  commence 
ment  of  the  existing  war.  They  remember  the  alacrity  with  which  you 
sprang  to  arms  at  the  first  cah1  of  your  country,  placing  yourself  at  its 
disposal  to  aid  in  suppressing  this  most  unjustifiable  and  gigantic  rebel 
lion.  As  citizens  of  Missouri  they  can  never  forget  the  promptness  and 
skill  with  which  you  aided  in  defending  this  State  at  the  beginning  of  the 
conflict,  when  the  means  at  the  command  of  those  in  authority  were 
wholly  inadequate  to  the  great  work  committed  to  them ;  and  as  citizens 
of  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  they  owe  you  unbounded  gratitude, 
not  only  for  the  first  signal  victories  which,  under  your  auspices,  crowned 
our  arms,  and  thrilled  the  nation  with  joy,  but  also  for  those  later  and 
unparalleled  triumphs  which  gave  again  freedom  to  "Western  commerce, 
from  the  sources  of  its  great  rivers  to  the  G  ulf.  Not  with  more  certainty 
is  the  indivisibility  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  proclaimed  by  its  geographi 
cal  features  than  by  the  devoted  loyalty  of  the  Northwest,  which  de 
mands  that  from  the  lakes  to  the  Gulf,  along  its  broad  rivers  and  over 
its  fertile  plains,  only  one  flag  shall  be  known,  and  that  the  glorious  ban 
ner  of  our  republic — "one  and  indivisible."  You  have  borne  that  flag 
victoriously  with  your  heroic  legions  until  the  Mississippi  goes  "unvexed 
to  the  sea ;"  and  looking  down  from  the  mountain  heights  of  Tennessee 
upon  the  States  between  you  and  the  Gulf  in  one  direction,  and  the 
Atlantic  in  the  other,  you  have,  with  the  inspiration  which  the  past 
glories  of  that  State  should  ever  arouse,  made  at  Chattanooga  a  glorious 
response  to  that  grand  utterance  of  an  immortal  hero,  which  crushed 
out  incipient  rebellion  years  gone  by,  "  The  federal  Union :  it  shall  bo 
preserved." 

As  citizens  of  a  republic  consecrated  to  constitutional  liberty,  and 
duly  appreciating  the  destinies  of  the  future  for  our  own  and  other  lands 
which  hang  upon  the  results  of  the  present  conflict,  we  glory  in  tho 
brilliant  deeds  and  unparalleled  triumphs  of  yourself,  officers,  and  men. 
To  you  and  the  gallant  soldiers  whom  you  have  led  a  nation's  honor 
and  gratitude  are  due. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  457 

In  the  name  of  ourselves  and  St.  Louis,  we  -earnestly  request  that  you 
will,  before  leaving  the  city — once  your  home — meet  your  fellow  citizens 
at  a  public  dinner,  where  old  personal  friendships  may  be  renewed  and 
new  ones  formed,  and  where  congratulations  over  the  successes  of  the 
past  and  the  hopes  of  the  future  may  be  freely  interchanged. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  profound  regard,  your 
obedient  servants. 

(Here  follow  the  names  of  the  subscribers.) 

General  Grant  accepted  the  invitation,  and  forwarded 
the  following  written  reply  to  the  foregoing  document : 

ST.  Louis,  Mo.,  Jan.  27,  1864. 
Colonel  JOHN  O'FALLAN,  Hon.  JOHN  How,  and  citizens  of  St.  Louis  : 

GENTLEMEN  : — Your  highly  complimentary  invitation  "  to  meet  old 
acquaintances  and  make  new  ones,"  at  a  dinner  to  be  given  by  citizens 
of  St.  Louis,  is  just  received. 

/  wiU  state  that  I  have  only  visited  St.  Louis  on  this  occasion,  to  see  a  sick 
child.  Finding,  however,  that  he  has  passed  the  crisis  of  his  disease 
and  is  pronounced  out  of  danger  by  his  physicians,  I  accept  the  invita 
tion.  My  stay  in  this  city  will  be  short — probably  not  beyond  the  1st 
proximo.  On  to-morrow  I  shall  be  engaged.  Any  other  day  of  my 
stay  here,  and  any  place  selected  by  the  citizens  of  St.  Louis,  it  will  bo 
agreeable  for  me  to  meet  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  U.  S.  A. 

During  that  day  (Januaiy  27th)  General  Grant  paid  a 
visit  to  the  city  University,  where  he  passed  some  two 
hours  in  reviewing  the  arrangements  and  listening  to  the 
recitations  of  the  students  of  this  institution. 

The  same  evening  he  attended  the  St.  Louis  theatre  with 
his  family,  and  was  the  cynosure  of  the  eyes  of  all  around 
him  during  the  whole  of  the  performance.  After  the  fall 
of  the  curtain  upon  the  play  of  Richelieu,  cheers  were 
proposed  and  heartily  given  for  the  "  famous  military  chief 
tain."  The  general  rose  from  his  box  bowing  his  acknowl 
edgments,  and  in  response  to  calls  was  understood  to  say 
20 


458  GENERAL   GKANT 

that  he  had  never  made  a  speech  in  his  life  and  never  ex 
pected  to.  Asking  to  be  excused,  he  resumed  his  seat 
amidst  a  shower  of  cheers.  The  orchestra  struck  up  "  Hail 
Columbia,"  followed  by  u  Yankee  Doodle,"  and  altogether 
the  incident  was  a  very  pleasant  one. 

On  Friday  evening  (January  29th,  1864)  the  old  friends 
of  the  modest  Lieutenant  Grant  of  former  times,  the  neigh 
bors  of  farmer  Grant,  the  cord  wood  dealer  of  Corondelet, 
and  the  admirers  of  General  Grant,  the  redeemer  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  sat  down  in  the  dining-hall  of  the  Lin- 
deli  Hotel,  St.  Louis,  to  a  grand  dinner  given  in  his  honor. 
A  stranger,  unacquainted  with  the  object  of  the  gathering, 
entering  the  dining-hall  during  the  dinner,  would  never 
have  selected,  from  the  guests  there  assembled,  the  quiet, 
modest,  unassuming  man  at  the  upper  end  of  the  room,  as 
the  victorious  hero  of  the  Southwest. 

The  St.  Louis  journals  thus  describe  the  reception  and 
appearance  of  General  Grant  on  this  occasion  : 

The  guests  assembled  in  the  corridors  and  parlors  of  the  hotel  at  half- 
past  six  o'clock.  Much  curiosity  was  exhibited  to  see  General  Grant; 
and  when  he  made  his  appearance,  arm-in-arm  with  Judge  Treat,  all 
were  eager  to  go  forward  and  be  presented  to  him.  He  went  through  the 
protracted  ceremony  of  shaking  hands  .with  the  crowd,  and  passing  a 
word  or  two  with  each,  with  far  l&ss  of  pretensions  and  pompous  deport 
ment  than  many  of  those  who  sought  his  acquaintance.  He  is  a  small  man 
about  five  feet  eight  inches  high,  with  a  well-knit  frame,  brown  hair 
and  whiskers,  both  cropped  close,  and  a  manner  as  utterly  destitute  of 
style  as  could  be  conceived.  His  sharp  nose,  heavy  lower  jaw,  and  firm 
set  lips,  are  the  only  features  wherein  one  would  suspect  lurked  the  qual 
ities  that  drove  the  Western  armies  like  a  resistless  avalanche  down  the 
Mississippi  and  over  the  Southwest,  in  that  career  of  consecutive  victo 
ries  that  broke  the  power  of  rebellion,  even  while  it  was  boasting  of 
triumphs  at  the  East. 

The  curiosity  of  the  company  centered  mainly  upon  General  Grant, 
to  honor  whom  the  demonstration  was  specially  intended.  As  he  lodged 
in  the  hotel,  any  thing  like  an  ostentatious  arrival  or  reception  was,  of 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  459 

course,  out  of  the  question.  General  Grant  had  a  visibly  mild,  modest 
manner,  and  received  the  cordial  greetings  tendered  him  with  evident  cm- 
larrassment.  The  ladj  inmates  of  the  house  took  possession  of  an  ad 
joining  parlor,  through  the  open  door  of  which  they  could  see  the 
General,  and  several  of  his  most  ardent  admirers  among  the  fair  spec 
tators  took  the  opportunity  of  his  near  proximity  to  the  door  in  ques 
tion,  to  obtain  an  introduction. 

The  dinner  was  as  choice  as  it  could  possibly  be.  There 
were  three  elegant  tables  spread  lengthwise  in  the  hall,  pro 
vided  abundantly  from  the  larder  of  the  hotel.  In  the 
centre  of  the  one  on  the  north  side  were  seated  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  Committee  of  Citizens,  Judge  Samuel  Treat, 
with  General  Grant  next  on  his  right,  followed  by  General 
Schofield,  Colonel  Leighton,  Colonel  Marcy,  and  Lieuten- 
ant-Governor  Hall.  Next  on  his  left  sat  General  Rose- 
crans,  General  Osterhaus,  and  Mr.  F.  Dent,  father-in-law 
of  the  guest  of  the  evening.  Mr.  Dent  is  a  white-haired, 
florid,  fine-looking  gentleman,  about  sixty-five  years  old. 
He  resided  in  St.  Louis  County,  on  the  Gravois  road.  Im 
mediately  opposite  Judge  Treat,  at  the  same  table,  sat 
Judge  Lord,  of  the  Land  Court,  flanked  on  the  left  by 
Major  Dunn,  C.  B.  Hubbell,  Colonel  Merrill,  and  G.  Hoe- 
ber ;  and  on  the  right  by  Colonel  Callender,  Colonel 
Myers,  Colonel  Haines,  and  Major  C.  P.  E.  Johnson. 

At  the  centre  of  the  south  table  were  seated  Honorable 
Wayman  Crow,  with  General  McNeil,  General  Fisk,  Gen 
eral  I'rown,  General  Totten,  and  General  Gray.  The  re 
maining  guests,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred,  occupied 
the  other  seats  at  the  tables.  The  hall,  superb  in  the  ceiling 
and  wall  colorings  which  embellished  it,  was  further  deco 
rated  by  the  spirited  drapings  of  the  national  flag  from 
each  of  the  arched  windows,  and  presented  a  magnificent 
appearance. 

After  the  dinner  the  various  toasts,  incident  to  such 


460  GENERAL    GRANT 

occasions,  were  given.  At  the  toast  of  "  our  distinguished 
guest,  Major-General  Grant,"  the  band  played  with  great 
spirit  the  air  "  Hail  to  the  Chief."  • 

General  Grant  arose  amid  a  perfect  storm  of  applause ; 
but,  true  to  his  resolution  never  to  make  a  speech,  he 
simply  said : 

GENTLEMEN:  In  response,  it  •mil  be  impossible  for  me  to  do  more 
than  to  thank  you. 

At  the  toast  of  "  the  City  of  St.  Louis,"  the  following 
preamble  and  resolutions,  passed  by  the  City  Council  an 
hour  or  two  before  the  time  fixed  for  the  dinner,  were 
read  : 

COUNCIL  CHAMBER, 
CITY  OF  ST.  Louis,  January  29,  1864. 

Whereas,  Major- General  U.  S.  Grant  has,  since  our  last  meeting,  sud 
denly  and  unexpectedly  arrived  among  us,  and  the  opportunity  not  hav 
ing  presented  itself  whereby  the  city  authorities  and  this  body  could 
testify  their  great  esteem,  regard,  and  indebtedness  due  his  modest,  un 
swerving  energies,  swayed  neither  by  the  mighty  successes  which  have 
crowned  his  genius  and  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  government,  nor  the  machi 
nations  of  politicians — evidences  of  the  true  patriot  and  soldier;  therefore, 
be  it 

Eesolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  St. 
Louis  are  eminently  due,  and  are  hereby  respectfully  tendered  to  Major- 
General  U.  S.  Grant,  in  behalf  of  the  City  of  St.  Louis. 

Resolved,  That  his  Honor,  the  Mayor,  be  respectfully  requested  to 
give  his  official  approval  to  this  preamble  and  resolutions,  and  cause 
the  seal  of  the  city  to  be  affixed,  and  the  same  presented  to  Major-Gen 
eral  U.  S.  Grant. 

Shortly  before  the  dinner  party  broke  up,  the  following 
was  read : 

Major-General  Grant — He  is  emphatically  U.  S.  Grant,  for  he  has 
given  US  and  the  U.  S.  an  earnest  of  those  victories  which  will  finally 
rescue  this  nation  from  the  rebellion  and  its  cause — American  slavery. 

Loud  applause  greeted  the  reading  of  this  sentiment. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  461 

During  the  same  evening,  the  General  was  honored  by 
the  enthusiastic  populace  with  a  serenade.  His  appearance 
on  the  balcony  was  greeted  with  the  most  flattering  cheers. 
In  response  to  calls  for  a  speech,  he  took  off  his  hat,  and, 
amid  profound  silence,  said : 

GENTLEMEN:  I  thank  you  for  this  honor.  I  cannot  make  a  speech. 
It  is  something  I  have  never  done,  and  never  intend  to  do,  and  I  beg 
you  will  excuse  me. 

Loud  cheers  followed  this  brief  address,  at  the  conclu 
sion  of  which  the  General  replaced  his  hat,  took  a  cigar 
from  his  pocket,  lit  it,  and  stood  on  the  balcony  in  the 
presence  of  the  crowd,  puffing  his  Havana  and  watching 
the  rockets  as  they  ascended  and  burst  in  the  air. 

"  Speech  !  speech !"  vociferated  the  multitude,  and  sev 
eral  gentlemen  near  him  urged  the  General  to  say  some 
thing  to  satisfy  the  people,  but  he  declined.  Judge  Lord, 
of  the  Land  Court,  appeared  very  enthusiastic,  and,  placing 
his  hand  on  General  Grant's  shoulder,  said:  "Tell  them 
you  can  fight  for  them,  but  can't  talk  to  them — do  tell 
them  that !" 

"I  must  get  some  one  else  to  say  that  for  me,"  replied 
the  General ;  but  the  multitude  continuing  to  cry  out, 
"  Speech !  speech !"  he  leaned  over  the  railing,  blew  a 
wreath  of  smoke  from  his  lips,  and  said : 

^  Gentlemen :  Making  speeches  is  not  my  business.  I 
never  did  it  in  my  life,  and  never  will.  I  thank  you,  how 
ever,  for  your  attendance  here,"  and  with  that  the  General 
retired. 

At  the  request  of  a  number  of  ladies  the  noted  visitor 
agreed  to  stay  in  the  city  until  the  end  of  the  month,  as 
the  citizens  of  St.  Louis  were  organizing  a  Great  Western 
Sanitary  Commission  Fair.  The  following  letter  from 
him  was,  however,  read  at  a  meeting  held  on  Monday  even 
ing,  February  1,  1864 : 


462  GENERAL   GKAM' 

ST.  Louis,  Mo.,  Jan.  31,  1864 
Dr.  "W.  G.  ELIOT,  GEORGE  PARTRIDGE,  and  others,   Western  Sanitary 

Commission : 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  letter  of  yesterday,  requesting  my  presence  at  a 
general  meeting  of  the  loyal  citizens  of  St.  Louis  on  Monday  evening,  to 
make  preparations  for  a  "  Grand  Mississippi  Valley  Fair,"  for  the  benefit 
of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  the  Western  army,  is  before  me.  / 
regret  that  my  already  protracted  stay  in  the  city  will  prevent  any  longer 
delay  from  my  public  duties.  I  regret  this,  as  it  would  afford  .me  the 
greatest  pleasure  to  advance,  in  any  manner,  the  interests  of  a  commis 
sion  that  has  already  done  so  much  for  the  suffering  soldiers  of  our 
"Western  armies.  The  gratuitous  offerings  of  our  loyal  citizens  at  home, 
through  the  agency  of  Sanitary  Commissions,  to  our  brave  soldiers  in  the 
field,  have  been  to  them  the  most  encouraging  and  gratifying  evidence 
that  whilst  they  are  risking  life  and  health  for  the  suppression  of  this 
most  wicked  rebellion,  their  friends,  who  cannot  assist  them  with  mus 
ket  and  sword,  are  with  them  in  sympathy  and  heart.  The  Western 
Sanitary  Commission  have  distributed  many  tons  of  stores  to  the  armies 
under  my  command.  Their  voluntary  offerings  have  made  glad  the 
hearts  of  many  thousands  o/  wounded  and  sick  soldiers  who  otherwise 
would  have  been  subjected  to  severe  privations.  Knowing  the  benefits 
already  conferred  on  the  army  by  the  Western  Sanitary  Commission,  I 
hope  for  them  a  full  and  enthusiastic  meeting  to-night,  and  a  fair  to  fol 
low  which  will  bring  together  many  old  friends  who  have  been  kept 
apart  for  the  last  three  years,  and  unite  them  again  in  one  common 
cause — that  of  their  country  and  peace. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Major- General  U.  S.  A. 

Before  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  General  was  elected 
an  honorary  member  of  the  Commission. 

General  Grant  when  he  took  his  departure  from  St. 
Louis  stated  that  he  felt  much  pleased  to  find  he  was  so 
well  aided  by  the  residents  of  the  Mississippi  River  cities. 
He  then  set  about  carrying  out  his  plans  for  the  Spring 
Campaign,  the  effects  of  which  will  doubtless  help  to  shake 
the  remainder  of  the  rebel  confederacy  to  pieces. 


AND   HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  463 


CHAPTER  LX. 


THE  appearance  of  General  Grant  is  far  from  what  an 
idealist  would  picture  of  a  great  hero.  He  is  a  man  of 
medium  height,  and  but  little  above  the  minimum  standard 
of  officers  of  the  army.  The  appearance  of  his  countenance 
during  repose  is  far  from  commanding ;  but  on  the  field 
there  seems  to  be  something  in  the  determined  glance  of 
his  eye,  the  contracted  brow,  and  the  firm-set  teeth,  that 
would  imply  that  his  wishes  u  must  and  shall  be  carried 
out."  Otherwise  there  is  but  little  in  his  countenance  that 
could  be  called  striking.  His  brow  is  straight  and  square, 
but  cannot  be  characterized  as  lofty,  although  it  is  far  from 
ignoble.  His  head  is  covered  by  a  fair  quantity  of  light 
brownish  hair.*  His  eyes  are  blue,  sharp,  and  expressive, 

*  We  find  a  letter  from  General  Grant  to  the  wife  of  General  I.  F. 
Quinby,  which  we  quote : 

CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  Dec.  13,  1863. 

MY  DEAR  MADAM: — The  letter  of  my  old  friend  and  classmate,  your 
husband,  requesting  a  lock  of  my  hair,  if  the  article  is  not  growing 
scarce  from  age — I  presume  he  means  to  be  put  in  an  ornament  (by  the 
most  delicate  of  hands  no  doubt),  and  sold  at  the  bazaar  for  the  benefit 
of  disabled  dRdiers  and  their  families — is  just  received. 

I  am  glad  to  say  that  the  stock  is  yet  abundant  as  ever,  though  time 
or  other  cause  is  beginning  to  intersperse  here  and  there  a  reminder  that 
winters  have  passed. 

The  object  for  which  this  little  requisite  is  made  is  so  praiseworthy 
that  I  cannot  refuse  it,  even  though  I  do,  by  granting  it,  expose  the  fact 
to  the  ladies  of  Rochester,  that  I  am  no  longer  a  boy.  Hoping  that  the 


464  GENERAL   GRANT 

yet,  at  times,  calm  and  mild.  His  nose  is  aquiline,  its  bold 
lines  delicately  chiseled.  His  mouth  and  chin  are  well 
formed,  but  are  concealed  under  a  heavy  reddish  beard  and 
mustache,  which  is  kept  cut  somewhat  shorter  than  it  de 
serves. 

His  manner  is  mild  even  in  times  of  the  greatest  excite 
ment,  and  the  humblest  drummer-boy  can  as  easily  reach 
the  General  with  his  complaints,  as  could  his  corps  or  de 
partmental  commanders. 

His  style  of  dress  has  often  been  alluded  to  in  the  course 
of  this  narrative.  He  assumes  no  gaudy  plumes  nor  trap 
pings,  and  takes  but  little  consideration  as  to  his  personal 
appearance.  This  apparent  carelessness  is  a  conclusive 
evidence  that  his  mind  is  employed  with  more  important 
matters. 

A  correspondent  from  Chattanooga  thus  describes  his 
appearance  during  the  battle : 

Those  who  had  never  seen  General  Grant  would  scarcely  be  likely  to 
have  singled  him  out  from  the  hundred  others  on  the  ground  around 
Chattanooga  as  the  man  whom  the  country  recognizes  as  having  done 
the  most,  and  of  whom  so  much  is  expected,  to  crush  the  rebellion  by 
hard  blows,  and  of  the  exercise  of  those  qualities  which  enter  into  a 
character  of  true  greatness.  He  was  there  to  be  seen  enveloped  in  a 
rather  hugh  military  coat,  wearing  a  slouching  hat,  which  seemed  to 
have  a  predisposition  to  turn  up  before  and  down  behind,  with  a  gait 
slightly  limping  from  his  accident  at  New  Orleans,  giving  his  orders 
with  as  few  words  as  possible,  in  a  low  tone,  and  with  an  accent  which 
partook  of  the  slight  nervousness,  intensity  of  feeling,  yet  perfect  self- 
command,  seen  in  all  his  movements.  General  Grant  might  be  de 
scribed  best  as  a  little  old  man — yet  not  really  old — who,  with  a  keen 
eye,  did  not  intend  that  any  thing  should  escape  his  observation.  At 

citizens  of  your  city  may  spend  a  happy  week  commencing  to-morrow, 
and  that  this  fair  may  remunerate  most  abundantly, 

I  remain,  very  truly,  your  friend, 

U.  S.  GRANT, 
Major-General  U.  S.  A. 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  465 

that  battle  he  was  not  in  his  usual  physical  condition,  his  recent  illness, 
added  to  his  arduous  labors,  having  made  him  lean  in  flesh,  and  given 
a  sharpness  to  his  features  which  he  did  not  formerly  have.  Those 
features,  however,  go  far  to  define  the  man  of  will  and  self-control  that  he 
is.  At  the  critical  moment  of  the  day's  operations,  the  muscles  appeared 
to  gather  tighter  and  harder  over  his  slightly  projecting  chin,  which 
seems  to  have  an  involuntary  way  of  working,  and  the  lips  to  contract. 
There  is  in  what  he  does  or  says  nothing  that  has  the  slightest  approach 
to  ostentation  or  show,  but  the  palpable  evidence  of  a  plain  man  of  sense, 
will,  and  purpose,  who  has  little  idea  that  more  eyes  are  turned  on  him 
than  on  any  other  man  on  the  continent.  From  his  first  struggle  at 
Belmont  to  his  last  at  Chattanooga,  the  men  led  by  him  have  fought 
more  steadily,  fiercely,  and  successfully  than  those  of  any  other  portion 
of  our  army.  In  looking  back  over  the  history  of  the  war,  the  eye  rests 
upon  no  more  glorious  pages  than  those  whereon  are  written  Fort  Don- 
elson,  Vicksburg,  and  Chattanooga.* 

There  are  several  instances  mentioned  of  the  kindness 
of  General  Grant's  heart,  but  one  will  suffice  as  an  evi 
dence  of  the  whole.  When  General  Grant  heard  of  the 
death  of  Colonel  O'Meara,  one  of  the  officers  under  his 
command  at  Chattanooga,  he  hastened  to  see  the  daring 
and  brave  man's  remains  which  were  at  the  landing  in 
a  coffin,  waiting  for  transportation.  The  General  ordered 
the  coffin  to  be  opened  that  he  might  take  u  a  last  look  at 
the  gallant  Colonel  of  the  Irish  Legion."  When  the  coffin 
was  opened  the  General  was  touched  at  the  sight  of  one 
whom  he  had  honored  and  publicly  thanked  before  he 
had  been  two  months  in  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 
O'Meara's  defence  of  the  trestle  work,  a  few  miles  north 
of  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  when  Van  Dorn  made  a  raid 
there  in  December,  1862,  and  which  saved  Grant's  army 
from  starvation,  was  never  forgotten  by  the  General.  The 
spectators  were  moved  at  the  sad  and  touching  farewell  of 
the  Commander  of  the  Department  of  the  Mississippi  from 

*  New  York  Herald. 


466  GENEKAL   GKANT 

the  corpse  of  a  young  Irish  soldier,  who  had  forfeited  his 
life  to  the  belief  that  "  the  highest  and  best  duty  of  all, 
native  or  foreign  born,  was  to  stand  by  the  flag  which  is 
the  hope  of  the  exile,  the  emblem  of  philanthropy,  and 
the  ensign  of  the  American  people." 

General  Grant  in  private  is  thus  described  by  an  officer 
of  his  staff: 

If  you  could  see  the  General  as  he  sits  just  over  beyond  me,  with 
his  wife  and  two  children,  looking  more  like  a  chaplain  than  a  gen 
eral,  with  that  quiet  air  so  impossible  to  describe,  you  would  not  ask 
me  if  he  drinks.  He  rarely  ever  uses  intoxicating  liquors ;  more  moder 
ate  in  his  habits  and  desires  than  any  other  man  I  ever  knew ;  more  pure 
and  spotless  is  his  private  character  than  almost  any  man  I  ever  knew ;  more 
brave  than  any  man  I  ever  saw ;  with  more  power  to  command  and 
ability  to  plan  than  any  man  I  ever  served  under  ;  cool  to  excess,  when 
others  lose  nerve,  always  hopeful,  always  undisturbed,  never  failing  to 
accomplish  what  he  undertakes  just  as  he  expects  to.  He  is  the  only 
General  worthy  to  command  Americans  fighting  for  their  national  sal 
vation. 

Of  his  bravery  there  can  be  no  doubt,  as  it  has  been 
shown  on  all  occasions  from  West  Point  to  Chattanooga ; 
but  if  the  fact  requires  an  endorsement,  it  has  it  in  the  fol 
lowing  remarks  from  General  Sherman,  at  the  public  din 
ner  given  at  Memphis  on  the  25th  of  January,  1864 :  "I 
was  at  West  Point,"  said  General  Sherman,  "  with  Gen 
eral  Grant.  The  General  is  not  a  man  of  remarkable 
learning,  but  he  is  one  of  the  bravest  I  ever  saw.  He 
smokes  his  cigar  with  coolness  in  the  midst  of  flying 
shot*  He  has  no  fear,  because  he  is  an  honest  man.  I 
like  Grant.  I  do  not  say  he  is  a  hero ;  I  do  not  believe  in 
heroes ;  but  I  know  he  is  a  gentleman,  and  a  good  man." 

General  Grant  has  always  manifested  towards  the  offi 
cers  that  have  served  under  him  a  full  appreciation  of  their 
abilities.  His  dispatches  to  the  General-in-Chief,  concerning 


AND    HIS    CAMPAIGNS.  467 

battles  and  other  movements,  have  always  given  evidence 
of  this  fact ;  and  the  following  special  recommendations  of 
distinguished  officers  (since  promoted)  by  General  Grant, 
are  on  file  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  General-in-Chief. 
Under  date  of  July  23,  1863,  General  Grant  says: 

I  would  respectfully,  but  urgently,  recommend  the  promotion  of  Ma 
jor-General  W.  T.  Sherman,  now  commanding  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps, 
to  the  position  of  Brigadier-General  in  the  regular  army. 

To  General  Sherman  I  was  greatly  indebted  for  his  promptness  in 
forwarding  to  me,  during  the  siege  of  Fort  Donelson,  re-enforcements 
and  supplies  from  Paducah.  At  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  first  day 
he  held  with  raw  troops  the  keypoint  to  the  landing.  To  his  individual 
efforts  I  am  indebted  for  the  success  of  that  battle.  Twice  hit,  and  several 
(I  think  three)  horses  shot  under  him  on  that  day,  he  maintained  his 
position  with  raw  troops.  It  is  no  disparagement  to  any  other  officer  to 
say  that  I  do  not  believe  there  was  another  division  commander  on  the 
field  who  had  the  skill  and  experience  to  have  done  it.  His  services  as 
division  commander  in  the  advance  on  Corinth,  I  will  venture  to  say, 
were  appreciated  by  the  now  General-in-Chief  beyond  those  of  any  other 
division  commander. 

General  Sherman's  arrangement  as  commander  of  troops  in  the  attack 
on  Chickasaw  Bluffs  last  December,  was  admirable ;  seeing  the  ground 
from  the  opposite  side  from  the  attack,  I  saw  the  impossibility  of  making 
it  successful.  The  conception  of  the  attack  on  Arkansas  Post  was  General 
Sherman's.  His  part  of  the  execution,  no  one  denies,  was  as  good  as 
it  possibly  could  have  been.  His  demonstration  at  Haines's  Bluff,  in 
April,  to  hold  the  enemy  about  Vicksburg,  while  the  army  was  securing 
a  foothold  east  of  the  Mississippi ;  his  rapid  marches  to  join  the  army 
afterward ;  his  management  at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  in  the  first  attack  • 
his  almost  unequalled  march  from  Jackson  to  Bridgeport,  and  passage  of 
Black  Eiver;  his  securing  Walnut  Hills  on  the  18th  of  May,  and  thus 
opening  communications  with  our  supplies,  .all  attest  his  great  merit  as  a. 
soldier.  The  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  last  capture  of  Jackson  and  dis 
persion  of  Johnston's  army,  entitle  General  Sherman  to  more  credit  than 
usually  faUs  to  the  lot  of  one  man  to  earn.  The  promotion  of  such  men 
as  Sherman  always  adds  strength  to  our  arms. 

On  the  same  day  that  he  recommended  the  promotion 
of  General  Sherman  he  also  requested  the  same  honor  for 


468  GENERAL   GRANT 

General  McPherson,  and  wrote  to  the  General-in-Chief 
concerning  him  as  follows : 

General  McPherson  has  been  with  me  in  every  battle  since  the 
commencement  of  the  rebellion,  except  Belmont.  At  Forts  Henry, 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  and  the  siege  of  Corinth,  as  a  staff  officer  and  en 
gineer,  his  services  were  conspicuous  and  highly  meritorious.  At  the 
second  battle  of  Corinth  his  skill  as  a  soldier  was  displayed  in  success 
fully  carrying  re-enforcements  to  the  besieged  garrison,  when  the  ene 
my  was  between  him  and  the  point  to  be  reached. 

In  the  advance  through  Central  Mississippi  last  November  and  De 
cember,  General  McPherson  commanded  one  wing  of  the  army  with  all 
the  ability  possible  to  show,  he  having  the  lead  in  the  advance  and  the 
rear  returning. 

In  the  campaign  and  siege  terminating  with  the  fall  of  Vicksburg, 
General  McPherson  has  rilled  a  conspicuous  part  at  the  battle  of  Port 
Gibson.  It  was  under  his  direction  that  the  enemy  was  driven,  late  in 
the  afternoon,  from  a  position  they  had  succeeded  in  holding  all  day 
against  an  obstinate  attack.  His  corps,  the  advance  always  under  his 
immediate  eye,  were  the  pioneers  in  the  movement  from  Port  Gibson  to 
Hawkinson's  Ferry.  From  the  north  fork  of  the  Bayou  Pierre  to  Black 
River  it  was  a  constant  skirmish,  the  whole  skilfully  managed.  The 
enemy  was  so  closely  pressed  as  to  be  unable  to  destroy  their  bridge 
of  boats  after  them.  From  Hawkinson's  Ferry  to  Jackson,  the  Seven 
teenth  Army  Corps  marched  roads  not  travelled  by  other  troops,  fight 
ing  the  entire  battle  of  Raymond  alone,  and  the  bulk  of  Johnston's  army 
was  fought  by  this  corps,  entirely  under  the  management  of  General 
McPherson. 

At  Thompson's  Hill,  the  Seventeenth  Corps  and  General  McPherson 
were  conspicuous,  All  that  could  be  termed  a  battle  there,  was  fought 
by  the  divisions  of  General  McPherson's  Corps,  and  Hovey's  Division 
of  the  Thirteenth  Corps.  In  the  assault  of  the  22d  of  May,  on  the  for 
tifications  of  Vicksburg,  and  during  the  entire  siege,  General  McPher 
son  and  his  command  took  unfading  laurels.  He  is  one  of  our  ablest  en 
gineers  and  most  skilful  Generals. 

These  recommendations  secured  the  nomination  by  the 
President  of  these  officers  to  the  positions  named  in  the 
documents. 


AND    HIS   CAMPAIGNS.  469 

General  Grant's  modesty  is  even  more  remarkable  than 
the  other  fine  traits  in  his  character.  Every  dispatch  that 
he  sent  to  head-quarters  was  full  of  it ;  his  quiet  acknowl 
edgment  of  honors  gave  evidence  of  it ;  and  his  replies 
concerning  the  mention  of  his  name  for  the  Presidency — 
the  highest  honor  in  the  gift  of  the  people,  and  the  proud 
ambition  of  every  true  American — breathed  it  in  every 
syllable.  One  day  being  spoken  to  about  that  position,  he 
suid,  "Let  us  first  settle  the  war  and  it  will  be  time 
enough  then  to  talk  upon  that  subject."  On  another 
occasion,  when  rallied  about  the  persistent  use  of  his  name 
by  the  New  York  Herald  for  the  Presidency,  he  said :  "  I 
aspire  only  to  one  political  office.  When  this  war  is  over 
I  mean  to  run  for  Mayor  of  Galena  (his  place  of  residence). 
And  if  elected,  I  intend  to  have  the  sidewalk  fixed  up  be 
tween  my  house  and  the  depot." 

The  New  York  Times  of  February  18th,  has  the  follow 
ing  paragraph : 

"  General  Howard  says  General  Grant  is  a  strictly  tem 
perate  man,  and  religious.  His  marked  characteristic  is  a 
wonderful  faith  in  his  success,  amounting  almost  to  the 
fatality  in  which  Napoleon  so  strongly  believed.  General 
Howard  can  be  relied  on." 


APPENDIX 


APPENDIX. 


A. 

..»  .       THE  BATTLE  OF  FREDERICKS  OWN",    MISSOURI. 
OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  COLONEL  PLUMMER. 

HE  AD- QUARTERS,  CAMP  FREMONT,        ) 
CAPE  GIRARDEAU,  Mo.,   October  26,  1861.  j" 

• 

COLONEL   PLUMMER    TO   GENERAL   GRANT. 

GENERAL: — Pursuant  to  your  order  of  the  16th,  I  left  this  post  on  the 
18th  inst.,  with  about  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  marched  upon  Frederick- 
town,  via  Jackson  and  Dallas,  where  I  arrived  at  twelve  o'clock  on  Mon 
day,  the  21st  instant;  finding  there  Colonel  Carlin  with  about  three 
thousand  men  who  had  arrived  at  nine  o'clock  that  morning.  He  gave 
me  a  portion  of  his  command,  which  I  united  with  my  own,  and  im 
mediately  started  in  pursuit  of  Thompson,  who  was  reported  to  have 
evacuated  the  town  the  day  before  and  retreated  toward  Greenville. 
I  found  him.  however,  occupying  a  position  about  one  mile  out  of  town, 
on  the  Greenville  road,  which  he  has  held  since  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M., 
and  immediately  attacked  him.  The  battle  lasted  about  two  hours  and  a 
half,  and  resulted  in  the  total  defeat  of  Thompson,  and  rout  of  all  his 
forces,  consisting  of  about  three  thousand  five  hundred  men.  Their 
loss  was  severe,  ours  very  light.  Among  their  killed  was  Lowe.  On 
the  following  day  I  pursued  Thompson  twenty-two  miles  on  the  Green 
ville  road,  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  his  train,  but  finding  further  pur 
suit  useless,  and  believing  Pilot  Knob  secure  and  the  object  of  the  expe 
dition  accomplished,  I  returned  to  this  post,  where  I  arrived  last  evening, 
having  been  absent  seven  days  and  a  half. 

I  brought  with  me  forty-two  prisoners,  one  iron  twelve-pounder  field- 
piece,  a  number  of  small  arms  and  horses  taken  upon  the  field. 

I  will  forward  a  detailed  report  of  the  battle  as  soon  as  reports  from 
colonels  of  regiments  and  commanders  of  corps  are  received. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  B.  PLUMMER, 
Colonel  Eleventh  Missouri  Volunteers  Commanding. 

To  ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  Head-Quarters  District  South 
east  Missouri,  Cairo,  Illinois. 


4  APPENDIX. 

GENERAL  GRANT  TO  COLONEL  PLUMMER. 

HE  AD- QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  SOUTHEAST  MISSOUEI,  ) 
CAIRO,   October  27,  1861.  ] 

Colonel  J.  B.  PLUMMEIJ,  commanding  United  States  Forces,  Cape  Girardcau, 
Missouri. 

COLONEL: — Your  report  of  the  expedition  under  your  command  is 
received.  1  congratulate  you,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  expe 
dition,  upon  the  result. 

But  little  doubt  can  be  entertained  of  the  success  of  our  arms,  when 
not  opposed  by  superior  numbers  ;  and  in  the  action  of  Fredericktown 
they  have  given  proof  of  courage  and  determination  which  shows  that 
they  would  undergo  any  fatigue  or  hardships  to  meet  our  rebellious 
brethren,  even  at  great  odds. 

Our  loss,  small  as  it  was,  is  to  be  regretted ;  but  the  friends  and  relfc- 
Vves  of  those  who  fell  can  congratulate  themselves  in  the  midst  of  their 
affliction,  that  they  fell  in  maintaining  the  cause  of  constitutional  freedom 
and  the  integrity  of  a  flag  erected  in  the  first  instance  at  a  sacirnce  of 
many  of  the  noblest  lives  that  ever  graced  a  nation. 

In  conclusion,  say  to  your  troops  they  have  done  nobly.  It  goes  to 
prove  that  much  more  may  be  expected  of  them  when  the  country  and 
our  great  cause  calls  upon  them. 

Yours,  etc.  U.  S.  GRANT,  Brigadier-  General  Commanding. 


B. 

THE  BATTLE  AT  BELMONT,  MISSOURI. 

FOUGHT  NOVEMBER  7,  1861. 
GENERAL    GRANT'S   REPORT. 

CAIRO,  November  12,  1861. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th  instant,  I  left  this  place  with  two  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  all  arms,  to  make  a  reconnoissance  to 
wards  Columbus.  The  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  sending  out  re-enforcements  to  Price's  army  in  Missouri,  and  also 
from  cutting  off  columns  that  I  had  been  directed  to  send  out  from  this 
place  and  Cape  Girardeau,  in  pursuit  of  Jeff.  Thompson.  Knowing  that 
Columbus  was  strongly  garrisoned,  I  asked  General  Smith,  commanding 
at  Paducah,  Kentucky,  to  make  demonstrations  in  the  same  direction. 
He  did  so  by  ordering  a  small  force  to  Mayfield  and  another  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Columbus,  not  to  approach  nearer,  however,  than  twelve  or  fifteen 
miles.  I  also  sent  a  small  force  on  the  Kentucky  side  with  orders  not 
to  approach  nearer  than  Ellicott's  Mills,  some  twelve  miles  from  Colum 
bus.  The  expedition  under  my  immediate  command  was  stopped  about 
nine  miles  below  here  on  the  Kentucky  shore,  and  remained  until  morn 
ing.  All  this  served  to  distract  the  enemy,  and  led  him  to  think  he  was 
to  bo  attacked  in  his  strongly  fortified  position.  At  daylight  we  pro 
ceeded  down  the  river  to  a  point  just  out  of  range  of  the  rebel  guns,  and 


APPENDIX.  5 

debarked  on  the  Missouri  shore.  From  here  the  troops  were  marched 
by  flank  for  about  one  mile  toward  Belmont,  and  then  drawn  up  in  line 
of  battle,  a  battalion  also  having  been  Itft  as  a  reserve  near  the  trans 
ports.  Two  companies  from  each  regiment,  five  skeletons  in  number, 
were  then  thrown  out  as  skirmishers,  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the 
enemy.  It  was  but  a  few  moments  before  we  met  him.  and  a  general 
engagement  ensued. 

The  balance  of  my  forces,  with  the  exception  of  the  reserve,  was 
then  thrown  forward — all  as  skirmishers — and  the  enemy  driven  foot 
by  foot,  and  from  tree  to  tree,  back  to  their  encampment  on  the  river  bank, 
a  distance  of  two  miles.  Here  they  had  strengthened  their  position 
by  felling  the  timber  for  several  hundred  yards  around  their  camp,  and 
making  a  sort  of  abatis.  Our  men  charged  through  this,  driving  the 
enemy  over  the  bank  Into  their  transports  in  quick  time,  leaving  us  in 
possession  of  every  thing  not  exceedingly  portable.  Belmont  is  on  low 
ground,  and  every  foot  of  it  is  commanded  by  the  guns  on  the  opposite 
shore,  and  of  course  could  not  be  held  for  a  single  hour  after  the  enemy 
became  aware  of  the  withdrawal  of  their  troops.  Having  no  wagons, 
T  could  not  move  any  of  the  captured  property;  consequently,  I  gave 
orders  for  its  destruction.  Their  tents,  blankets,  etc.,  were  set  on  fire, 
and  we  retired,  taking  their  artillery  with  us,  two  pieces  being  drawn  by 
hand  ;  and  one  other,  drawn  by  an  inefficient  team,  we  spiked  and  left 
in  the  woods,  bringing  the  two  only  to  this  place.  Before  getting  fairly 
under  way  the  enemy  made  his  appearance  again,  and  attempted  to  sur 
round  us.  Our  troops  were  not  in  the  least  discouraged,  but  charged  on 
the  enemy  again,  and  defeated  him.  Our  loss  was  about  eighty-four 
killed,  one  hundred  and  fifty  wounded — many  of  them  slightly — and 
about  an  equal  number  missing.  Nearly  all  the  missing  were  from  the 
Iowa  regiment,  who  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and  suffered  more 
severely  than  any  other  of  the  troops. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  put  in  the  reports  from  sub-command,  but 
will  forward  them  as  soon  as  received.  All  the  troops  behaved  with 
much  gallantry,  much  of  which  is  attributed  to  the  coolness  and  presence 
of  mind  of  the  officers,  particularly  the  colonels.  General  McClernand 
was  in  the  midst  of  danger  throughout  the  engagement,  and  displayed 
both  coolness  and  judgment.  His  horse  was  three  times  shot.  My 
horse  was  also  shot  under  me.  To  my  staff,  Captains  Rawlins,  Logan,  and 
Hillyer,  volunteer  aids,  and  to  Captains  Hatch  and  Graham,  I  am  much 
indebted  for  the  assistance  they  gave.  Colonel  Webster,  acting  chief 
engineer,  also  accompanied  me,  and  displayed  highly  soldier-like  quali 
ties.  Colonel  Doherty,  of  the  Twenty-second  Illinois  Volunteers,  was 
three  times  wounded  and  taken  prisoner. 

The  Seventh  Iowa  Regiment  -had  their  lieutenant-colonel  killed,  and 
the  colonel  and  major  were  severely  wounded.  The  reports  to  be  for 
warded  will  detail  more  fully  the  particulars  of  our  loss.  Surgeon 
Brinton  was  in  ihe  field  during  the  entire  engagement,  and  displayed 
great  ability  and  efficiency  in  providing  for  the  wounded  and  organizing 
the  medical  corps. 

The  gunboats  Tyler  and  Lexington,  Captains  Walker  and  Stemble, 
U.  S.  N.,  commanding,  convoyed  the  expedition  and  rendered  most 


6  APPENDIX. 

efficient  service.      Immediately  upon  our  landing  they  engaged  the 
enemy's  batteries,  and  protected  our  transports  throughout. 

For  particulars  see  accompAying  report  of  Captain  Walker. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Brigadier- General  Commanding. 


GENERAL  POLK?S  DISPATCH. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  FIRST  Div.  WEST.  DEP'T,  ) 
COLUMBUS.  KY.,  November  7,  1861.      ) 
To  General  Head-Quarters,  through  General  A.  S.  JOHNSTON  : 

The  enemy  came  down  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  Belmont,  to 
day,  about  seven  thousand  five  hundred  strong,  landed  under  cover  of 
gunboats,  and  attacked  Colonel  Tappau's  camp.  I  sent  over  three  regi 
ments,  under  General  Pillow,  to  his  relief,  then,  at  intervals,  three  others, 
then  General  Cheatham. 

I  then  took  over  two  others  in  person,  to  support  a  flank  movement 
which  I  had  directed.  It  was  a  hard-fought  battle,  lasting  from  half- 
past  ten  A.  M.  to  five  P.  M.  They  took  Beltzhoover's  battery,  four  pieces 
of  which  were  recaptured.  The  enemy  were  thoroughly  routed.  We 
pursued  them  to  their  boats  seven  miles,  then  drove  their  boats  before 
us.  The  road  was  strewn  with  their  dead  and  wounded,  guns,  ammu 
nition,  and  equipments.  Our  loss  considerable ;  theirs  heavy. 

L.  POLK,  Maj.-Gen.  Commanding. 


C. 

CAPTURE  OF  FORT  HENRY,  TENK 
REPORT  OF  GENERAL  GRANT. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  CAIRO,  \ 
FORT  HENRY,  TENN.,  February  6.      f 

Capt.  J.  C.  KELTON,  A.  A.- General,  Department  of  Mo.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  : 
CAPTAIN: — Inclosed  I  send  you  my  order  for  the  attack  upon  Fort 
Henry.  Owing  to  dispatches  received  from  Major-General  Halleck,  and 
corroborating  information  here,  to  the  effect  that  the  enemy  were  rapidly 
re-enforcing,  I  thought  it  imperatively  necessary  that  the  Fort  should  be 
carried  to-day.  My  forces  were  not  up  at  ten  o'clock  last  night,  when 
my  order  was  written,  therefore  I  did  not  deem  it  practicable  to  set  an 
earlier  hour  than  eleven  o'clock  to-day,  to  commence  the  investment 
The  gunboats  started  up  at  the  same  hour  to  commence  the  attack,  and 
engage  the  enemy  at  not  over  six  hundred  yards.  In  little  over  ono 
hour  all  the  batteries  were  silenced,  and  the  Fort  surrendered  at  discre- 


APPENDIX.  7 

tion  to  Flag-Officer  Foote,  giving  us  all  their  guns,  camp  and  garrison 
e  luipage,  etc.  The  prisoners  taken  are  General  Tilghman  and  staff, 
Captain  Taylor  and  company,  and  the  sick.  The  garrison,  I  think, 
must  have  commenced  their  retreat  last  night,  or  at  an  early  hour  this 
iuoruing. 

Had  1  not  felt  it  an  imperative  necessity  to  attack  Fort  Henry  to-day, 
I  should  have  made  the  investment  complete,  and  delayed  until  to-mor 
row,  so  as  to  secure  the  garrisou.  I  do  not  now  believe,  however,  the 
result  would  have  been  any  more  satisfactory. 

The  gunboats  have  proven  themselves  well  able  to  resist  a  severe  can 
nonading.  All  the  iron-clad  boats  received  more  or  less  shots — the  flag- 
Bhip  some  twenty-eight — without  any  serious  damage  to  any,  except  the 
Essex.  This  vessel  received  one  shot  in  her  boiler,  that  disabled  her, 
killing  and  wounding  some  thirty-two  men,  Captain  Porter  among  the 
wounded. 

I  remain  your  obedient  servant, 

If.  S.  GRANT,  Brigadier- General. 


HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OF  CAIRO,  ) 

CAMP  IN  FIELD,  NEAR  FORT  HENRY,  February  5,  1862.  \ 
[General  Orders,  No.  1.] 

The  First  Division,  General  McClernand  commanding,  will  move,  at 
eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  to-morrow,  undor  the  guidance  of  Lieutenant- Col 
onel  McPherson,  and  take  a  position  on  the  roads  from  Fort  Henry  to 
Donelson  and  Dover. 

It  will  be  the  special  duty  of  this  command  to  prevent  all  re-enforce 
ments  to  Fort  Henry  or  escape  from  it.  Also,  to  be  held  in  readiness  to 
charge  and  take  Fort  Henry  by  storm,  promptly  on  the  receipt  of  orders. 

Two  brigades  of  the  Second  Division,  General  C.  F.  Smith  commanding, 
will  start  at  the  same  hour  from  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  and  take  and 
occupy  the  heights  commanding  Fort  Henry.  This  point  will  be  held 
by  so  much  artillery  as  .can  be  made  available,  and  such  other  troops  as, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  general  commanding  the  Second  Division,  may  be 
necessary  for  its  protection. 

The  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division,  will  advance  up  the  east  bank  of 
the  Tennessee  River,  as  fast  as  it  can  be  securely  done,  and  be  in  read 
iness  to  charge  upon  the  fort,  or  move  to  the  support  of  the  First  Divis 
ion,  as  may  be  necessary. 

All  the  forces  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  not  required  to  hold  the 
heights  commanding  Fort  Henry,  will  return  to  their  transports,  cross 
to  the  east  bank,  and  follow  the  First  Brigade  as  fast  as  possible. 

The  west  bank  of  the  Tennessee  River,  not  having  been  reconnoitred, 
the  commanding  officer  intrusted  with  taking  possession  of  the  enemy's 
works  there,  will  proceed  with  great  caution,  and  such  information  as 
can  be  gathered,  and  such  guides  as  can  be  found  in  the  time  interven 
ing,  before  eleven  o'clock  to-morrow. 

The  troops  will  receive  two  days'  rations  of  bread  and  meat  in  their 
haversacks. 


8  APPENDIX, 

One  company  of  the  Second  Division,  armed  with  rifles,  will  be  order 
ed  to  Flag-Officer  Foote,  as  sharpshooters,  on  board  the  gunboats. 
By  order, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Brig.- Gen.  Commanding. 


D. 

THE  CAPTURE  OF  FORT  DONELSON. 
GENRAL  GRANT'S  REPORT. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMY  IN  THE  FIELD,  ) 
FORT  DOXELSON,  February  16,  1862.    ) 
General  G.  "W.  CULLTJM,    Chief  of  Staff,  Department  of  Missouri  : 

GENERAL  : — I  am  pleased  to  announce  to  you  the  unconditional  sur 
render,  this  morning,  of  Fort  Donelson,  with  twelve  to  fifteen  thousand 
prisoners,  at  least  forty  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  large  amount  of  stores, 
horses,  mules,  and  other  public  property. 

I  left  Fort  Henry  on  the  12th  instant,  with  a  force  of  about  fifteen 
thousand  men,  divided  into  two  divisions,  under  the  command  of  Gene 
rals  McClernand  and  Smith.  Six  regiments  were  sent  around  by  water 
the  day  before,  convoyed  by  a  gunboat,  or  rather  started  one  day  later 
than  one  of  the  gunboats,  with  instructions  not  to  pass  it. 

The  troops  made  the  march  in  good  order,  the  head  of  the  column 
arriving  within  two  miles  of  the  fort  at  twelve  o'clock  M.  At  this 
point  the  enemy's  pickets  were  met  and  driven  in. 

The  fortifications  of  the  enemy  were  from  this  point  gradually  ap 
proached  and  surrounded,  with  occasional  skirmishing  on  The  line.  The 
following  day,  owing  to  the  non-arrival  of  the  gunboats  and  re-enforce 
ments  sent  by  water,  no  attack  was  made;  but  the  investment  was 
extended  on  the  flanks  of  the  enemy,  and  drawn  closer  to  his  works, 
with  skirmishing  all  day.  The  evening  of  the  13th,  the  gunboats  and 
re-enforcements  arrived.  On  the  14th,  a  gallant  attack  was  made  by 
Flag-Officer  Foote  upon  the  enemy's  works  with  his  fleet.  The  engage 
ment  lasted  probably  one  hour  and  a  half,  and  bid  fair  to  result  favorably 
to  the  cause  of  the  Union,  when  two  unlucky  shots  disabled  two  of  the 
armored  gunboats,  so  that  they  were  carried  back  by  the  current.  The 
remaining  two  were  very  much  disabled  also,  having  received  a  number 
of  heavy  shots  about  the  pilot-house  and  other  parts  of  the  vessels. 
After  these  mishaps,  I  concluded  to  make  the  investment  of  Fort 
Donelson  as  perfect  as  possible,  and  partially  fortify  and  await  repairs 
to  the  gunboats.  This  plan  was  frustrated,  however,  by  the  enemy 
making  a  most  vigorous  attack  upon  our  right  wing,  commanded  by 
General  J.  A.  McClernand,  with  a  portion  of  the  force  under  General  L. 
Wallace.  The  enemy  were  repelled  alter  a  closely  contested  battle  of 
several  hours,  in  which  our  loss  was  heav}r.  The  officers,  and  particu 
larly  field  officers,  suffered  out  of  proportion.  I  have  not  the  means  3'et 
of  determining  our  loss  even  approximately,  but  it  cannot  fall  far  short 
of  one  thousand  two  hundred  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  Of  the 


APPENDIX.  9 

latter,  I  understand  through  General  Buckner,  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  were  taken  prisoners.  I  shall  retain  enough  of  the  enemy  to 
exchange  for  them,  as  they  were  immediately  shipped  off  and  not  left 
for  recapture. 

About  the  close  of  this  action  the  ammunition  in  the  cartridge-boxes 
gave  out,  which,  with  the  loss  of  many  of  the  field  officers,  produced 
great  confusion  in  the  ranks.  Seeing  that  the  enemy  did  not  take 
advantage  of  this  fact,  I  ordered  a  charge  upon  the  left — enemy's  right 
— with  the  division  under  General  C.  F.  Smith,  which  was  most  bril 
liantly  executed,  and  gave  to  our  arms  full  assurance  of  victory.  The 
battle  lasted  until  dark,  giving  us  possession  of  part  of  their  intrench- 
ments.  An  attack  was  ordered  upon  their  other  flank,  after  the  charge 
of  General  Smith  was  commenced,  by  the  divisions  under  Generals 
McClernand  and  "Wallace,  which,  notwithstanding  the  hours  of  exposure 
to  a  heavy  fire  in  the  forepart  of  the  day,  was  gallantly  made,  and  the 
enemy  further  repulsed.  At  the  points  thus  gained,  night  having  come 
on,  all  the  troops  encamped  for  the  night,  feeling  that  a  complete  victory 
would  crown  their  labors  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning.  This  morn 
ing,  at  a  very  early  hour,  General  S.  B.  Buckner  sent  a  message  to  our 
camp  under  a  flag  of  truce,  proposing  an  armistice,  etc.  A  copy  of  the 
correspondence  which  ensued  is  herewith  accompanied. 

I  cannot  mention  individuals  who  specially  distinguished  themselves, 
but  leave  that  to  division  and  brigade  officers,  whose  reports  will  be 
forwarded  as  soon  as  received.  To  division  commanders,  however, 
Generals  McClernand,  Smith,  and  Wallace,  I  must  do  the  justice  to  say 
that  each  of  them  were  with  their  commands  in  the  midst  of  danger, 
and  were  always  ready  to  execute  all  orders,  no  matter  what  the 
exposure  to  themselves. 

At  the  hour  the  attack  was  made  on  General  McClernand's  command, 
I  was  absent,  having  received  a  note  from  Flag-Officer  Foote,  requesting 
me  to  go  and  see  him,  he  being  unable  to  call. 

My  personal  staff— Colonel  J.  D.  Webster,  Chief  of  Staff;  Colonel  J. 
Riggin,  Jr.,  Volunteer  Aide;  Captain  J.  A.  Rawlins,  A.  A.-General; 
Captains  C.  B.  Lagow  and  W.  S.  Hillyer,  Aides,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
V.  B.  McPherson,  Chief  Engineer — all  are  deserving  of  personal  mention 
for  their  gallantry  and  services. 

For  full  details  and  reports  and  particulars,  reference  is  made  to  the 
reports  of  the  Engineer,  Medical  Director  and  commanders  of  brigades 
and  divisions,  to  follow. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Brigadier- General. 


REBEL   REPORTS. 

JEFF.   DAVIS'S   MESSAGE   ACCOMPANYING   THE   REPORTS. 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  March  11,  1862. 
To  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

I  transmit  herewith  copies  of  such  official  reports  as  have  been  re 
ceived  at  the  War  Department  of  the  defence  and  fall  of  Fort  Donelson. 


10  APPENDIX. 

They  will  be  found  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory.  Instructions  have 
been  given  to  furnish  further  information  upon  the  several  points  not 
made  intelligible  by  the  reports.  It  is  not  stated  that  re-enforcements 
were  at  any  time  asked  for ;  nor  is  it  demonstrated  to  have  been  impos 
sible  to  have  saved  the  army  by  evacuating  the  position ;  nor  is  it 
known  by  what  means  it  was  found  practicable  to  withdraw  a  part  of 
the  garrison,  leaving  the  remainder  to  surrender ;  nor  upon  what  authori 
ty  or  principles  of  action  the  senior  general  abandoned  responsibility  by 
transferring  the  command  to  a  junior  officer. 

In  a  former  communication  to  Congress,  I  presented  the  propriety  of 
a  suspension  of  judgment  in  relation  to  the  disaster  at  Fort  Donelson, 
until  official  reports  could  be  received.  I  regret  that  the  information 
now  furnished  is  so  defective.  In  the  mean  time,  hopeful  that  satisfac 
tory  explanation  may  be  made,  I  have  directed,  upon  the  exhibition  of 
the  case  as  presented  by  the  two  senior  generals,  that  they  should  be  re 
lieved  from  command,  to  await  further  orders  whenever  a  reliable  judg 
ment  can  be  rendered  on  the  merits  of  the  case. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


REPORT   OF   JOHN  B.    FLOYD. — (Extracts.) 

CAMP  NEAR  MURFREESBORO,  February  27,  1862. 
General  A.  S.  JOHNSTON: 

SIR: — Your  order  of  the  12th  of  this  month,  transmitted  to  me  by 
telegraph  from  Bowling  Green  to  Cumberland  City,  reached  me  the  same 
evening.  It  directed  me  to  repair  at  once,  with  what  force  I  could  com 
mand,  to  the  support  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Donelson.  I  immediately 
prepared  for  my  departure,  and  effected  it  in  time  to  reach  Fort  Donel 
son  the  next  morning,  13th,  before  daylight.  Measures  had  been 
already  taken  by  Brigadier-General  Pillow,  then  in  command,  to  render 
our  resistance  to  the  attack  of  the  enemy  as  effective  as  possible.  He 
had,  with  activity  and  industry,  pushed  forward  the  defensive  works 
toward  completion. 

****** 

Soon  after  my  arrival,  the  intrenchments  were  fully  occupied  from  one 
end  to  the  other ;  and  just  as  the  sun  rose,  the  cannonade  from  one  of 
the  enemy's  gunboats  announced  the  opening  of  the  conflict,  which  was 
destined  to  continue  for  three  days  and  nights.  In  a  very  short 
time  the  fire  became  general  along  our  whole  lines,  and  the  enemy,  who 
had  already  planted  batteries  at  several  points  around  the  whole  circuit 
of  our  intrenchments,  opened  a  general  and  active  fire  from  all  arms 
upon  our  trenches,  which  continued  until  darkness  put  an  end  to 
the  conflict.  They  charged  with  uncommon  spirit  at  several  points 
along  on  the  line,  but  most  particularly  at  a  point  undefended  by 
intrenchments,  down  a  hollow  which  separated  the  right  wing,  under 
Brigadier-General  Buckner,  from  the  right  of  the  centre,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Himan. 

****** 

The  enemy  continued  their  fire  upon  different  parts  of  our  intrench 
ments  throughout  the  night,  which  deprived  our  men  of  every  opportu 
nity  of  sleep.  We  lay  that  night  upon  our  arms  in  the  trenches.  We 


11 

confidently  expected,  at  the  dawn  of  day,  a  more  vigorous  attack  than 
ever ;  but  in  this  we  were  entirely  mistaken.  The  day  advanced,  and 
no  preparation  seemed  to  be  making  for  ;v  general  onset.  But  an 
extremely  annoying  fire  was  kept  up  from  the  enemy's  sharpshooters 
throughout  the  whole  length  of  the  intrenchments,  from  their  long-range 
rifles.  Whilst  this  mode  of  attack  was  not  attended  with  any  conside 
rable  loss,  it,  nevertheless,  confined  the  men  to  their  trenches,  and  pre 
vented  their  taking  their  usual  rest. 

****** 
There  was  no  place  within  our  intrenchrnents  but  could  be  reached 
by  the  enemy's  artillery,  from  their  boats  or  their  batteries.  It  was  but 
fair  to  infer  that,  while  they  kept  up  a  sufficient  fire  upon  our  intrench- 
ments,  to  keep  our  men  from  sleep  and  prevent  repose,  their  object  was 
merely  to  give  time  to  pass  a  column  above  us  on  the  river,  both  on  the 
right  and  the  left  banks,  and  thus  to  cut  off  all  our  communications,  and 
to  prevent  the  possibility  of  egress.  I  thus  saw  clearly  .  that  but 
one  course  was  left  by  which  a  rational  hope  could  be  entertained 
of  saving  the  garrison,  or  a  part  of  it.  That  was  to  dislodge  the  enemy 
from  his  position  on  our  left,  and  thus  to  pass  our  people  into  the  open 
country,  lying  southward  toward  Nashville.  I  called  for  a  consultation 
of  the  officers  of  divisions  and  brigades,  to  take  place  after  dark,  when 
this  plan  was  laid  before  them,  approved  and  adopted,  and  at  which  it 
was  determined  to  move  from  the  trenches  at  an  early  hour  on  the  next 
morning,  and  attack  the  enemy  in  his  position. 

****** 

Our  troops  were  completely  exhausted  by  four  days  and  nights 
of  continued  conflict.  To  renew  it  with  any  hope  of  successful  result 
was  obviously  v^in,  and  such  I  understood  to  be  the  unanimous  opinion 
of  all  the  officers  present  at  the  council  called  to  consider  what  was  best 
to  be  done.  I  thought,  and  so  announced,  that  a  desperate  onset  upon 
the  right  of  the  enemy's  forces,  on  the  ground  where  we  had  attacked 
them  in  the  morning,  might  result  in  the  extrication  of  a  considerable 
proportion  of  the  command  from  the  position  we  were  in,  and  this  opin 
ion  I  understood  to  be  concurred  in  by  all  who  were  present.  But 
it  was  likewise  agreed,  with  the  same  unanimity,  that  it  would  result  in 
the  slaughter  of  nearly  all  who  did  not  succeed  in  effecting  their  escape. 
The  question  then  arose,  whether,  in  point  of  humanity  and  a  sound 
military  policy,  a  course  should  be  adopted  from  which  the  probabilities 
were,  that  the  larger  portion  of  the  command  would  be  cut  to  pieces  in 
an  unavailing  fight  against  overwhelming  numbers.  I  understood  the 
general  sentiment  to  be  averse  to  the  proposition.  I  feltthat  in  this  contin 
gency,  whilst  it  might  be  questioned  whether  I  should,  as  commander  of 
the  army,  lead  it  to  certain  destruction  in  an  unavailing  fight,  yet  I  had 
a  right,  individually,  to  determine  that  I  would  not  survive  a  surrender 
there.  To  satisfy  both  propositions,  I  agreed  to  hand  over  the  com 
mand  to  Brigadier-General  Buckner,  through  Brigadier- General  Pillow, 
and  to  make  an  effort  for  my  own  extrication  by  any  and  every  means 
that  might  present  themselves  to  me. 

I  therefore  directed  Colonel  Forrest,  a  daring  and  determined  officer, 
at  the  head  of  an  efficient  regiment  of  cavalry,  to  be  present  for  the  pur 
pose  of  accompanying  me  in  what  J  supposed  would  be  an  effort  to  pass 
21 


12  APPENDIX. 

through  the  enemy's  lines.  I  announced  the  fact,  upon  turning  the  com 
mand  over  to  Brigadier-General  Buckner,  that  I  would  bring  away  with 
me.  by  any  means  I  could,  my  own  particular  brigade,  the  propriety  of 
which  was  acquiesced  in  ou  all  hands.  This,  by  various  modes,  I  suc 
ceeded  in  accomplishing  to  a  great  extent. 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

The  command  was  turned  over  to  Brigadier-General  Buckner,  who  at 
once  opened  negotiations  with  the  enemy,  which  resulted  in  the  sur 
render  of  the  place. 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD,  Brig.- Gen.  Commanding. 


GENERAL  PILLOW'S  REPORT. — (Extracts.) 

COLUMBIA,  TENNESSEE,  February  18,  1862. 
Captain  CLARENCE  DERRICK,  A.  A.- General: 

On  the  18th  instant,  General  A.  S.  Johnston  ordered  me  to  proceed 
to  Fort  Donelson  and  take  command  at  that  post.  On  the  19th  instant 
I  arrived  at  that  place.  In  detailing  the  operations  of  the  forces  under 
my  command  at  Fort  Donelson,  it  is  proper  to  state  the  condition  of  that 
work  and  of  the  forces  constituting  its  garrison. 

***** 

The  armament  of  the  batteries  consisted  of  eight  thirty-two  pounders, 
three  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  one  eight-inch  columbiad,  and  one 
rifled  gun  of  thirty-two  pound  calibre.  The  selection  of  the  site  for  the 
work  was  an  unfortunate  one.  While  its  command  of  the  river  was 
favorable,  the  site  was  commanded  by  the  hills  above  and  below  on  the 
river,  and  by  a  continuous  range  of  hills  all  around  the  works  to  its 
rear. 

A  field-work  of  very  contracted  dimensions  had  been  constructed  for 
the  garrison  to  protect  the  battery  ;  but  this  field-work  was  commanded 
by  the  hills  already  referred  to,  and  lay  open  to  a  fire  of  artillery  from 
every  direction  except  from  the  hills  bolow.  To  guard  against  the  effect 
of  fire  of  artillery  from  these  heights,  a  line  of  defence-work,  consisting 
of  rifle-pits  and  abatis  for  infantry,  detached  on  our  right,  but  con 
tinuous  on  our  left,  with  defences  for  our  light  artillery,  were  laid 
off  by  Major  Gilmer — engineer  of  General  A.  S.  Johnston's  staff,  but 
on  duty  with  me  at  the  post — around  the  rear  of  the  battery,  and  on  the 
heights  from  which  artillery  could  reach  our  battery  and  inner  field- 
work,  enveloping  the  inner  work  and  the  town  of  Dover,  where  our 
principal  supplies  of  quartermaster  and  commissary  stores  were  on  de 
posit. 

These  works,  pushed  with  the  utmost  possible  energy,  were  not  quite 
completed,  nor  my  troops  all  in  position,  though  nearly  so,  when  Briga 
dier-General  Floyd,  my  senior  officer,  reached  that  station.  The  works 
were  laid  off  with  judgment  and  skill,  by  Major  Gilmer;  were  well  ex 
ecuted,  and  designed  for  the  defence  of  the  rear  of  the  works.  *  * 

I  had  placed  Brigadier-General  Buckner  in  command  of  the  right 
ring  and  Brigadier-General  Johnson  in  oomiaaiid  of  the  left.  By  as- 


APPENDIX.  13 

traordiaary  efforts,  we  had  barely  got  the  works  in  a  defensible  condi 
tion,  when  the  enemy  made  an  advance  in  force  around  and  against  the 
entire  line  of  our  outer  works. 

The  first  assault  was  commenced  by  the  enemy's  artillery  against  the 
entire  line  of  our  left  wing,  which  was  promptly  responded  to  by  Captain 
Green's  battery  of  field-artillery.  After  several  hours  of  firing  between  the 
artillery  of  the  two  armies,  the  enemy's  infantry  advanced  to  the  con 
flict  all  along  the  line,  which  was  kept  up  and  increased  in  volume  from 
one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other  for  several  hours,  when  at  last  tho 
enemy  made  a  vigorous  assault  against  the  right  of  our  left  wing. 
****** 

The  result  of  the  day's  work  pretty  well  tested  the  strength  of  our  de 
fensive  lines,  and  established,  beyond  question,  the  gallantry  of  our  en 
tire  command,  all  of  which  defended  well  their  portion  of  the  line.  The 
loss  sustained  by  our  forces  in  this  engagement  was  not  large,  our  men 
being  mostly  under  shelter  of  their  rifle-pits  ;  but  we,  nevertheless,  had 
quite  a  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  but  owing  to  the  continued  fight 
ing  which  followed,  it  was  impossible  to  get  any  official  report  of  the 
casualties  of  the  day.  *  *  *  * 

On  the  14th  instant,  the  enemy  was  busy  throwing  his  forces  at  every 
arm  around  us,  extending  his  line  of  investment  around  our  position,  and 
completely  enveloping  us.  "We  were  now  surrounded  by  immense  force, 
said  by  persons  to  amount  to  fifty-two  regiments,  and  every  road  and 
possible  avenue  of  departure  were  cut  off,  with  the  certainty  that  our 
sources  of  supply  by  the  river  would  soon  be  cut  off  by  the  enemy's 
batteries  placed  upon  the  river  above  us. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  general  officers,  called  by  General  Floyd,  it  was 
unanimously  determined  to  give  the  enemy  battle  next  day  at  daylight, 
so  as  to  cut  open  a  route  of  exit  for  our  troops  to  the  interior  of  the 
country,  and  thus  to  save  our  army.  We  had  knowledge  that  the  prin 
cipal  portion  of  the  enemy's  forces  were  massed  in  encampment  in  front 
of  our  extreme  left,  commanding  the  two  roads  leading  into  the  interior, 
one  of  which  we  must  take  in  leaving  our  position.  We  knew  that  he 
had  massed  in  encampment  another  large  force  on  the  Union  Ferry  road, 
opposite  the  centre  of  our  left  wing.  His  fresh  arrival  of  troops  which 
encamped  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  two  and  a  half  miles  below  us,  from 
which  latter  encampment  a  stream  of  fresh  troops  was  continually  pour 
ing  around  us  on  his  line  of  investment,  and  thus  strengthening  his 
general  encampment  on  the  extreme  right.  At  each  of  his  encampments 
and  or.  each  road  he  had  a  position,  a  battery  of  field  artillery  and 
twenty-four  pound  iron  guns  on  siege-carriages.  *  * 

****** 

The  operations  of  the  day  had  forced  the  entire  command  of  the  enemy 
around  to  our  right  wing,  and  in  front  of  General  Buckner's  position  in 
the  intrenchments,  and  when  his  command  reached  his  position  he 
found  the  enemy  rapidly  advancing  to  take  possession  of  this  portion  of 
his  work.  He  had  a  stubborn  conflict,  lasting  one  a  half  hours,  to 
regain  it,  and  the  enemy  actually  got  possession  of  tho  extreme  right  of 
his  position,  and  he  held  it  so  firmly  that  he  could  not  dislodge  him. 
The  position  thus  gained  by  the  enemy  was  a  most  commanding  one, 
bsiag  immediately  on  the  rear  of  our  river-battery  and  field-work  for  its 


1 4  APPENDIX. 

protection.  From  it  he  could  readily  turn  the  intrenched  work  occupied 
by  General  Buckner.  and  attack  him  in  reverse,  or  advance  under  cover 
of  an  intervening  ridge  directly  upon  our  battery  and  field-work.  While 
he  held  this  position,  it  was  manifest  we  could  not  hold  the  main  work 
or  battery.  Such  was  the  condition  of  the  armies  at  nightfall,  after  nino 
hours  of  severe  conflict  on  the  15th  instant.  * 

In  this  condition  the  general  officers  held  a  consultation  to  determine 
what  we  should  do.  General  Buckner  gave  it  as  his  decided  opinion 
that  he  could  not  hold  his  position  one  half  hour  against  an  assault  of 
the  enemy,  and  said  the  enemy  would  attack  him  next  morning  at  day 
light.  The  proposition  was  then  made  by  the  undersigned  to  again  fight 
our  way  through  the  enemy's  line,  and  cut  our  way  out.  General 
Buckner  said  his  command  was  so  worn  out  and  cut  to  pieces  and 
demoralized  that  he  could  not  make  another  fight ;  that  it  would  cost 
the  command  three-quarters  of  its  present  number  to  cut  its  way 
through,  and  it  was  wrong  to  sacrifice  three-quarters  of  a  command  to 
save  a  quarter;  that  no  officer  had  a  right  to  cause  such  a  sacrifice. 
General  Floyd  and  Major  Gilmer  I  understood  to  concur  in  this  opinion. 

I  then  expressed  the  opinion  that  we  could  hold  out  another  day,  and  in 
that  time  we  could  get  steamboats  and  set  the  command  over  the  river, 
and  probably  save  a  large  portion  of  it.  To  this  General  Buckner 
replied  that  the  enemy  would  certainly  attack  him  at  daylight,  and  that 
he  could  not  hold  his  position  half  an  hour. 

The  alternative  of  these  propositions  was  a  surrender  of  their  position 
and  command.  General  Floyd  said  that  he  would  neither  surrender  the 
command,  nor  would  he  surrender  himself  a  prisoner.  I  had  taken  the 
same  position.  General  Buckner  said  he  was  satisfied  nothing  else 
could  be  done,  and  that,  therefore,  he  would  surrender  if  placed  in  com 
mand.  General  Floyd  said  he  would  turn  over  the  command  to  him  if 
he  could  ba  allowed  to  withdraw  his  command.  To  this  General 
Buckner  consented.  Thereupon  General  Floyd  turned  the  command 
over  to  me.  I  passsed  it  instantly  to  General  Buckner,  saying  I  would 
neither  surrender  the  command  nor  myself  a  prisoner.  I  directed 
Colonel  Forrest  to  cut  his  way  out.  Under  these  circumstances  General 
Buckner  accepted  the  command,  and  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  enemy 
for  an  armistice  for  six  hours  to  negotiate  for  terms  of  capitulation. 
Before  this  flag  and  communication  were  delivered,  I  retired  from  the 
garrison.  ***** 

GID.  J.  PILLOW,  Brigadier- General,  G.  S.  A. 


APPENDIX.  15 

E. 
GENERAL  GRANT'S  OFFICIAL  REPORT. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DISTRICT  OP  WESTERN  TENNESSEE,  ) 
PiTTSBURG,  April  9,  1862.  j 

Captain   N.    H.    McLEAN,    Assistant  Adjutant- General,    Department  oj 
Mississippi,  St.  Louis. 

CAPTAIN  : — It  becomes  my  duty  again  to  report  another  battle,  fought 
by  two  great  armies,  one  contending  for  the  maintenance  of  the  best  gov 
ernment  ever  devised,  and  the  other  for  its  destruction.  It  is  pleasant 
to  record  the  success  of  the  army  contending  for  the  former  principle. 

On  Sunday  morning  our  pickets  were  attacked  and  driven  in  by  the 
enemy.  Immediately  the  five  divisions  stationed  at  this  place  were 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  to  meet  them. 

The  battle  soon  waxed  warm  on  the  left  and  centre,  varying  at  times 
to  all  parts  of  the  line.  There  was  the  most  continuous  firing  of  mus 
ketry  and  artil.ery  ever  heard  on  this  continent  kept  up  until  nightfall. 

The  enemy,  having  forced  the  entire  line  to  fall  back  nearly  half  way 
from  their  camps  to  the  landing,  at  a  late  hour  in  the  afternoon  a  des 
perate  effort  was  made  by  the  enemy  to  turn  our  left  and  get  possession 
of  the  landing,  transports,  etc. 

This  point  was  guarded  by  the  gunboats  Tyler  and  Lexington,  Captains 
Gwin  and  Shirk  commanding,  with  four  twenty-four  pounder  Parrott 
guns,  and  a  battery  of  rifled  guns. 

As  there  is  a  deep  and  impassable  ravine  for  artillery  or  cavalry, 
and  very  difficult  for  infantry,  at  this  point,  no  troops  were  stationed 
here,  except  the  necessary  artillerists  and  a  small  infantry  force  for  their 
support.  Just  at  this  moment  the  advnce  of  Major-General  Buell's 
column  and  a  part  of  the  division  of  General  Nelson  arrived.  The  two 
generals  named  both  being  present,  an  advance  was  immediately  made 
upon  the  point  of  attack,  and  the  enemy  was  soon  driven  back. 

In  this  repulse  much  i's  due  to  the  presence  of  the  gunboats  Tyler 
and  Lexington,  and  their  able  commanders,  Captains  Gwin  and  Shirk. 

During  the  night,  the  divisions  under  Generals  Crittenden  and  McCook 
arrived. 

General  Lewis  "Wallace,  at  Camp  Landing,  six  miles  below,  was  or 
dered,  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  to  hold  his  division  in  readiness 
to  move  in  any  direction  it  might  be  ordered.  At  eleven  o'clock  the 
order  was  delivered  to  move  it  up  to  Pittsburg;  but,  owing  to  its  being 
led  by  a  circuitous  route,  it  did  not  arrive  in  time  to  take  part  in  Sun 
day's  action. 

During  the  night  all  was  quiet,  and,  feeling  that  great  moral  advan 
tage  would  be  gained  by  becoming  the  attacking  party,  an  advance  waa 
ordered  as  soon  as  day  dawn,ed.  The  result  was  the  gradual  repulse  of 
the  enemy  at  all  points  of  the  line,  from  nine  until  probably  five  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  when  it  became  evident  the  enemy  was  retreating. 

Before  the  close  of  the  action,  the  advance  of  General  T.  J.  Wood's 
division  arrived  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  action. 

My  force  was  too  much  fatigued  from  two  days*  hard  fighting,  nnd 


16  APPENDIX. 

exposure  in  the  open  air  to  a  drenching  rain  during  the  intervening 
night,  to  pursue  immediately. 

Kight  closed  in  cloudy,  with  a  heavy  rain,  making  the  roads  imprac 
ticable  for  artillery  by  the  next  morning. 

General  Sherman,  however,  followed  the  enemy,  finding  that  the  main 
part  of  their  army  had  retreated  in  good  order. 

Hospitals,  with  the  enemy's  wounded,  were  found  all  along  the  road 
as  far  as  pursuit  was  made.  Dead  bodies  of  the  enemy,  and  many  graves 
were  also  found.  I  inclose  herewith  a  report  of  General  Sherman, 
which  will  explain  more  fully  the  result  of  the  pursuit  and  of  the  part 
taken  by  each  separate  com  maud. 

I  cannot  take  special  notice  in  this  report,  but  will  do  so  more  fully 
when  the  reports  of  the  division  commanders  are  handed  in. 

Greneral  Buell,  commanding  in  the  field,  with  a  distinct  army  long 
under  his  command,  and  which  did  such  efficient  service  commanded  by 
himself  in  person,  on  the  field,  will  be  much  better  able  to  notice  those 
officers'  commands,  who  particularly  distinguished  themselves,  than  I 
possibly  can. 

I  feel  it  a  duty,  however,  to  a  gallant  and  able  officer,  Brigadier-Gen 
eral  W.  T.  Sherman,  to  make  a  special  mention.  He  not  only  was  with 
his  command  during  the  entire  two  days  of  the  action,  but  displayed 
great  judgment  and  skill  in  the  management  of  his  men.  Although 
severely  wounded  in  the  hand  on  the  first  day,  his  place  was  never  va 
cant.  He  was  again  wounded,  and  had  three  horses  killed  under  him. 
In  making  this  mention  of  a  gallant  officer,  no  disparagement  is  intended 
to  other  division  commanders  or  Major-Generals  John  A.  McClernand 
and  Lewis  Wallace,  and  Brigadier-Generals  S.  A.  Hurlbut,  P.  M.  Pren- 
tiss  and  W.  H.  L.  Wallace,  all  of  whom  maintained  their  places  with 
credit  to  themselves  and  the  cause. 

General  Prentiss  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  first  day's  action,  and 
General  W.  H.  L.  Wallace  was  severely  and  probably  mortally  wounded. 
His  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Captain  Wm.  McMichael,  is  missing,  and 
was  probably  taken  prisoner. 

My  personal  staff'  are  all  deserving  of  particular  mention,  they  having 
been  engaged  during  the  entire  two  days,  in  carrying  orders  to  every 
part  of  the  field.  It  consists  of  Colonel  J.  D.  Webster,  Chief-of-Staff; 
Lieutenant-Colonel.  J.  B.  McPherson,  Chief  of  Engineers,  assisted  by 
Lieutenants  W.  L.  B.  Jenney,  and  Wm.  Kossac ;  Captain  J.  A.  Rawlins, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General  W.  S.  Hilger,  W.  R.  Rawley,  and  C.  B. 
Lagow,  Aides-de-Camp;  Colonel  G.  Pride,  Volunteer  Aide,  and  Captain 
J.  P.  Hawkins,  Chief  Commissary,  who  accompanied  me  upon  the  field. 

The  Medical  Department,  under  direction  of  Surgeon  Hewitt,  Medical 
Director,  showed  great  energy  in  providing  for  the  wounded,  and  in 
getting  them  from  the  field,  regardless  of  danger. 

Colonel  Webster  was  placed  in  special  charge  of  all  the  artillery, 
and  was  constantly  upon  the  field.  He  displayed,  as  always  heretofore, 
both  skill  and  bravery.  At  least,  in  one  instance,  he  was  the  means  of 
placing  an  entire  regiment  in  position  of  doing  most  valuable  service,  and 
where  it  would  not  have  been  but  for  his  exertions. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  McPherson,  attached  to  my  staff  as  Chief  of  Er- 


APPENDIX.  IV 

gineers,  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice  for  his  activity  and  courage. 
All  the  grounds  beyond  our  camps  for  miles,  have  been  reconnoitred  by 
him,  and  the  plans,  carefully  prepared  under  his  supervision,  give  the 
most  accurate  information  of  the  nature  of  the  approaches  to  our  lines. 
During  the  two  days'  battle,  he  was  constantly  in  the  saddle,  leading  the 
troops,  as  they  arrived,  to  points  where  their  services  were  required. 
During  the  engagement,  he  had  one  horse  shot  under  him. 

The  country  will  have  to  mourn  the  loss  of  many  brave  men  who  fell 
at  the  battle  of  Pittsburg,  or  Shiloh,  more  properly. 

The  exact  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  will  be  known  in  a  day  or  two. 
At  present  I  can  only  give  it  approximately  at  fifteen  hundred  killed, 
-and  thirty-five  hundred  wounded. 

The  loss  of  artillery  was  great,  many  pieces  being  disabled  by  the 
enemy's  shots,  and  some  losing  all  their  horses  and  many  men.  There 
were  probably  not  less  than  two  hundred  horses  killed. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy,  in  killed  and  left  upon  the  field,  was  greater 
than  ours.  In  the  wounded  au  estimate  cannot  be  made,  as  many  of 
them  must  have  been  sent  to  Corinth  and  other  points. 

The  enemy  suffered  terribly  from  demoralization  and  desertion. 

A  flag  of  truce  was  sent  in  to-day  from  General  Beauregard.  I  inclose 
herewith,  a  copy  of  the  correspondence. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Mitj.-Gen.  Commanding. 


F. 

THE  BATTLE  OP  PITTSBURG-  LANDING  AND  MAJOR- 
GENERAL  GRANT. 

Remarks  of  Hon.  E.  B.  WASHBURNE,  of  HI,  in  the  House  of  Representatives, 
May  2,  1862. 

MR.  SPEAKER: — I  will  only  trouble  the  House  for  a  few  moments, 
but  when  justice  claims  to  be  heard,  it  is  said  that  a  nation  should  be 
silent.  Lamartine,  in  his  celebrated  History  of  the  Girondins,  speaking 
of  one  of  those  incidents  so  characteristic  of  the  French  Revolution, 
says : 

"  The  news  of  the  victory  of  Hondschoote  filled  Paris  with  joy.  But 
even  the  joy  of  the  people  was  cruel.  The  Convention  reproached  as  a 
treason  the  victory  of  a  victorious  general  Its  commissioners  to  the 
army  of  the  North,  Hentz,  Peyssard,  arid  Duquesnoy,  deposed  Hou^hard, 
and  sent  him  to  the  revolutionary  tribunal."  *  *  *  "  The 
unfortunate  Houchard  was  condemned  to  death,  and  met  his  fate  with 
the  intrepidity  of  a  soldier  and  the  calmness  of  an  innocent  man."  * 
*  *  "It  was  shown  that  even  victory  was  not  protection  against 
the  scaffold." 

It  may  be  inquired  whether  in  this  rebellion  history  is  not  repeating 
itself.  I  come  before  the  House  to  do  a  great  act  of  justice  to  a  soldier 
in  the  field,  and  to  vindicate  him  from  the  obloquy  and  misrepresenta 
tions  so  persistently  and  cruelly  thrust  before  the  country.  I  refer  to 


1 8  APPENDIX. 

a  distinguished  general  who  has  recently  fought  the  bloodiest  and 
hardest  battle  ever  fought  on  this  continent,  and  won  one  of  the  most 
brilliant- victories.  I  refer  to  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  to 
Major-General  Ulysses  S.  Grant.  A  native  of  Ohio,  he  graduated  at 
West  Point,  July  1st,  1843,  with  the  brevet  rank  of  second-lieutenant, 
and  was  appointed  second-lieutenant,  September  30th,  1845.  Though  but 
40  years  old,  he  has  been  oftener  under  fire  and  been  in  more  battles 
than  any  other  roan  living  on  this  continent,  excepting  that  great  chief 
tain  now  reposing  on  his  laurels  and  on  the  affections  of  his  countrymen, 
Lieutenant-General  Scott.  He  was  in  every  battle  in  Mexico  that  was  pos 
sible  for  any  one  man  to  be  in.  He  followed  the  victorious  standard  of 
General  Taylor  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto, 
Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  Monterey.  He  was  with  General  Scott  at  Vera 
Cruz,  and  participated  in  every  battle  from  the  Gulf  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 
He  was  breveted  first-lieutenant  September  8, 1847,  for  gallant  and  meri 
torious  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Molino  del  Rey,  and  on  the  13th  of  the 
same  month  he  was  breveted  captain  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct 
at  the  battle  of  Chapul tepee.  He  has  received  the  baptismal  of  lire. 
Xo  young  officer  came  out  of  the  Mexican  war  with  more  distinction 
than  Grant,  and  the  records  of  the  "War  Department  bear  official  testi 
mony  to  his  gallant  and  noble  deeds.  He  resigned  in  1855,  and  after 
wards  settled  in  Galena,  in  the  district  I  have  the  honor  to  represent  on 
this  door.  I  will  read  from  reports  in  the  War  Department. 

[The  reports  alluded  to  were  then  read  aloud.] 

Grant  was  among  the  first  to  oifer  his  services  to  the  country  at  the 
commencement  of  hostilities,  saying  that  as  he  had  been  educated  by  the 
Government,  that  Government  was  entitled  to  his  services  in  its  time  of 
peril.  Early  made  a  colonel  of  one  of  the  Illinois  regiments,  he  went 
into  actual  service  in  Missouri.  His  commands  there  were  important, 
and  he  discharged  every  duty  with  great  fidelity  and  advantage  to  the 
public  service.  With  a  military  head  and  a  military  hand,  he  every 
where  evoked  order  from  chaos.  Military  discipline,  order,  and  economy, 
travelled  in  his  path.  In  time  he  was  made  a  brigadier-general,  and  in 
trusted  with  the  important  command  of  the  district  of  Cairo ;  and  how 
diligently,  how  Faithfully,  how  satisfactorily  he  discharged  all  his  duties 
is  well  known  to  the  country.  While  in  that  command,  learning  of  a 
movement  about  being  made  by  the  rebels  at  Columbus  to  send  out  a 
large  force  to  cut  off  Colonel  Oglesby,  who  had  gone  into  Missouri  after 
that  roaming  bandit,  Jeff  Thompson,  by  a  sudden  and  masterly  stroke 
he  fell  upon  Belmont.  and  after  a  brilliant  and  decisive  action,  in  which 
he  and  all  his  troops  displayed  great  bravery,  he  broke  up  the  rebel 
camp  with  great  loss,  and  then  returned  to  Cairo.  The  expedition  was 
broken  up,  Oglesby 's  command  was  saved,  and  every  thing  was  accom 
plished  that  was  expected. 

In  time  came  the  operations  up  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee 
Rivers,  and  I  state  what  I  know.  By  a  singular  coincidence,  on  tho 
29th  day  of  January  last,  without  any  suggestion  from  any  source,  General 
Grant  and  Commo'dore  Foote,  always  acting  in  entire  harmony,  applied 
for  permission  to  move  up  those  rivers,  which  was  granted.  The  gun 
boats  and  land  forces  moved  uo  to  Fort  Hcnrr.  After  that  fort  was 


APPENDIX.  19 

taken  it  was  determined  to  attack  Fort  Donelson.  The  gunboats  were 
to  go  round  and  up  the  Cumberland  River,  while  the  army  was  to  move 
overland  from  Fort  Henry  to  Fort  Donelson. 

The  roads  were  the  worst  ever  known,  and  almost  any  other  general 
or  any  other  troops  would  have  despaired  of  moving.  But  they  did 
move.'  If  General  Grant  had  been  told  that  it  was  impossible  to  move  his 
army  there,  he  would  have  made  a  reply  like  to  that  of  the  royal  Pora- 
pey,  when  he  was  told  that  his  fleet  could  not  sail :  "  It  is  necessary  to 
sail,  not  necessary  to  live."  It  was  necessary  for  this  western  army  to 
march,  but  it  was  not  necessary  to  live.  The  country  knows  the  result 
— Donelson  fell.  The  enemy,  twenty  thousand  strong,  behind  his  in- 
trenchments,  succumbed  before  the  unrelenting  bravery  and  vigor  of 
our  troops,  no  more  than  twenty-eight  thousand  engaged.  We  took 
there,  not  twelve  thousand,  not  fifteen  thousand,  but  more  than  sixteen 
thousand  prisoners.  I  have  it  from  General  Halleck  that  we  have  actually 
paid  transportation  for  more  than  sixteen  thousand  prisoners.  That,  in 
most  countries,  would  have  been  called  a  most  brilliant  military  achieve 
ment.  Napoleon  surrounded  Old  Mack  at  Ulm,  and  captured  twenty 
thousand  or  more  prisoners,  and  that  exploit  has  filled  a  great  space  in 
hi  story. 

While  the  capture  of  Donelson  filled  the  country  with  joy,  there  was 
a  cruel  disposition  to  withhold  from  the  commanding  general  the  meed 
of  gratitude  and  praise  so  justly  his  due.  Captious  criticisms  were  in 
dulged  in  that  he  did  not  make  the  attack  properly,  and  that  if  he  had 
done  differently  the  work  might  have  been  better  accomplished.  It  was 
not  enough  that  he  fought  and  glorious^  conquered,  but  he  ought  to 
have  done  it  differently,  forsooth.  Success  could  be  no  test  of  merit 
with  him.  That  was  the  way  the  old  generals  spoke  of  the  young  Na 
poleon  when  he  was  beating  them  in  every  battle,  and  carrying  his 
eagles  in  triumph  over  all  Europe.  He  did  not  fight  according  to  the 
rules  of  war.  But  there  was  a  more  grievous  suggestion  touching  the 
general's  habits.  It  is  a  suggestion  that  has  infused  itself  into  the 
public  mind  everywhere.  There  never  was  a  more  cruel  and  atrocious 
slander  upon  a  brave  and  noble-minded  man.  There  is  no  more  tem 
perate  man  in  the  army  than  General  Grant.  He  never  indulges  in  the 
use  of  intoxicating  liquors  at  all.  He  is  an  example  of  courage,  honor, 
fortitude,  activity,  temperance,  and  modesty,  for  he  is  as  modest  as  he 
is  brave  and  incorruptible.  To  the  bravery  and  fortitude  of  Lannes,  he 
adds  the  stern  republican  simplicity  of  Guvion  St.  Cyr.  It  is  almost 
vain  to  hope  that  full  justice  will  ever  be  done  to  men  who  have  been 
thus  attacked.  Truth  is  slow  upon  the  heels  of  falsehood.  It  has  been 
well  said  that  "  falsehood  will  travel  from  Maine  to  Georgia  while  truth 
is  putting  on  its  boots." 

Let  no  gentleman  have  any  fears  of  General  Grant.  He  is  no  candi 
date  for  the  Presidency.  He  is  no  politician.  Inspired  by  the  noblest 
patriotism,  he  only  desires  to  do  his  whole  duty  to  his  country.  When 
the  war  shall  be  over  ke  will  return  to  his  home,  and  sink  the  soldier 
in  the  simple  citizen.  Though  living  in  the  same  town  with  myself,  he 
has  no  political  claims  on  me,  for,  so  far  as  he  is  a  politician,  he  belongs 
to  a  different  party.  He  has  no  personal  claims  upon  me  more  than 
'21* 


20  APPENDIX. 

any  other  constituent.  But  I  came  here  to  speak  as  an  Illinoisian, 
proud  of  his  noble  and  patriotic  State;  proud  of  its  great  history  now 
being  made  up ;  proud  above  all  earthly  things  of  her  brave  soldiers, 
who  are  shedding  their  blood  upon  all  the  battle-fields  of  the  Eepublic. 
If  the  laurels  of  Grant  shall  ever  be  withered,  it  will  not  be  done  by  the 
Illinois  soldiers  who  have  followed  his  victorious  banner. 

But  to  the  victory  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  which  has  called  forth  such, 
a  flood  of  denunciation  upon  General  Grant.  When  we  consider  the 
charges  of  bad  generalship,  incompetenc3r,  and  surprise,  do  we  not  feel 
that  "even  the  joy  of  the  people  is  cruel?"  As  to  the  question  of 
whether  there  was,  or  not,  what  might  be  called  a  surprise,  I  will  not 
argue  it;  but  even  if  there  had  been,  General  Grant  is  nowise  responsi 
ble  for  it,  for  he  was  not  surprised.  He  was  at  his  head-quarters  at 
Savannah  when  the  fight  commenced.  Those  head-quarters  were 
established  there,  as  being  the  most  convenient  point  for  all  parts  of  his 
command.  Some  of  the  troops  were  at  Crump's  Landing,  between 
Savannah  and  Pittsburg,  and  all  the  new.  arrivals  were  coming  to 
Savannah.  That  was  the  proper  place  for  the  head-quarters  of  the 
commanding  general  at  that  time.  The  general  visited  Pittsburg  Land 
ing  and  all  the  important  points  every  day.  The  attack  was  made 
Sunday  morning  by  a  vastly  superior  force.  In  five  minutes  after  the 
first  firing  was  heard,  General  Grant  and  staff  were  on  board  a  steam 
boat  on  the  way  to  the  battle-field,  and  instead  of  not  reaching  the  field 
till  ten  o'clock,  or,  as  has  been  still  more  falsely  represented,  till  noon,  I 
have  a  letter  before  me  from  one  of  his  aides  who  was  with  him,  and  who 
says  he  arrived  there  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  immediately 
assumed  command.  There  he  directed  the  movements,  and  was  always 
on  that  part  of  the  field  where  his  presence  was  most  required,  expos 
ing  his  life,  and  evincing  in  his  dispositions,  the  genius  of  the  greatest 
commanders.  With  what  desperate  bravery  that  battle  of  Sunday  was 
fought !  what  display  of  prowess  and  courage !  what  prodigies  of  valor ! 
Our  troops,  less  than  forty  thousand,  attacked  by  more  than  eighty 
thousand  of  the  picked  men  of  the  rebels,  led  by  their  most  distinguished 
generals  I 

But  it  is  gravely  charged  by  these  military  critics  who  sit  by  the  fire 
side  while  our  soldiers  are  risking  their  lives  on  the  field  of  conflict,  that 
Grant  was  to  blame  in  having  his  troops  on  the  same  side  of  the  river 
with  the  enemy.  I  suppose  they  would  have  the  river  interpose 
between  our  army  and  the  enemy,  and  permit  that  enemy  to  intrench 
himself  on  the  other  side,  and  then  undertake  to  cross  in  his  face.  It 
was,  in  the  judgment  of  the  best  military  men,  a  wise  disposition  of 
his  forces,  placing  them  where  he  did.  To  have  done  othe  rwise,  would 
have  been  like  keeping  the  entire  army  of  the  Potomac  on  this  side  of 
the  river,  instead  of  crossing  it  when  it  could  be  done,  and  advancing 
on  the  other  side. 

After  fighting  all  day  with  immensely  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy, 
they  ouly  drove  our  forces  back  two  and  one  half  miles,  and  then  it 
was  to  face  the  gunboats  and  the  terrible  batteries  so  skilfully  arranged 
and  worked  by  the  gallant  and  accomplished  officers,  Webster  and 
Callender,  and  which  brought  the  countless  host  of  the  enemy  to  a 


APPENDIX.  21 

stand.  And  when  night  came,  this  unconquerable  army  stood  sub 
stantially  triumphant  on  that  bloody  field.  I  am  not  here  to  speak  dis 
paragingly  of  the  troops  of  any  other  State,  but  I  will  speak  in 
praise  of  the  troops  of  my  own  State.  No  Illinois  regiment,  no 
Ill'nois  company,  no  Illinois  soldier,  fled  from  the  battle-field.  If  any 
did  nee,  'they  were  not  from  Illinois,  and  they  would  be  the  ones  who, 
after  their  own  flight,  would  seek  to  cover  up  their  own  disgrace,  but 
only  add  to  it,  by  attacks  upon  an  Illinois  general. 

Now,  sir,  I  have  something  to  say  about  the  generals  and  the  soldiers 
•who  fought  in  the  battle.  I  have  a  word  to  say  about  the  brave 
McClernand,  so  lately  our  colleague  here,  who,  as  I  learn  from  a  man 
who  was  on  the  battle-field  on  that  Sunday,  and  was  seen  riding  at 
the  head  of  his  division,  holding  his  flag  in  the  face  of  the  enemy, 
daring  them  to  come  on.  I  would  say  something  in  relation  to  the 
bravery  and  skill  of  Hurlbut,  from  my  own  district,  who  commanded 
another  division  there,  and  won  great  glory.  I  would  say  something  in 
defence  of  another  man  who  has  been  charged  with  having  his  division 
surprisei,  and  having  been  taken  prisoner  at  the  time.  I  mean  General 
Prentiss.  I  have  a  letter  upon  my  desk  which  says,  that  instead  of 
bo'.ng  surprised  on  Sunday  morning,  the  writer  saw  him  at  half  past 
two  o'clock  of  that  day  fighting  most  gallantly  at  the  head  of  his  divis 
ion.  I  rjjoica  to  hive  this  opportunity  to  make  that  statement  in  jus- 
tic3  to  a  brave  man  and  true  soldier. 

Sir,  if  I  had  time  I  would  like  to  speak  of  others ;  I  would  speak  of 
General  Wallace  of  my  State,  who  fell  nobly  fighting  at  the  head  of  his 
division,  a  soldier  by  nature,  a  pure  and  noble  man,  whose  memory  will 
bo  ever  honored  in  Illinois.  I  would  speak  of  the  gallant  Colonel  Ellis, 
falling  at  the  head  of  the  Fifteenth,  and  of  Major  Goddard,  of  the  same 
regiaiont,  also  killed ;  of  Davis,  of  the  Forty-sixth,  terribly  wounded 
while  gallantly  bearing  in  his  own  hands  the  colors  of  his  regiment.  I 
would  speak  of  the  deeds  of  valor  of  the  lead-mine  Forty-fifth,  covering 
;tS3lf  with  undying  honor;  of  Captains  Connor  and  Johnson,  falling  at 
the  head  of  their  companies ;  of  the  genial  and  impetuous  young  Irish 
man,  Lieutenant  George  Moore,  mortally  wounded;  of  Captains  Wayne 
anl  Nase  and  Brownell,  all  killed.  Nor  would  I  fail  to  mention  Briga 
dier-General  McA.rth.ur  and  Acting  Brigadier-General  Kirk,  who  boldly 
bd  their  brigades  everywhere  where  duty  called  and  danger  threatened, 
and  were  at  last  carried  from  the  field  badly  wounded.  And  of  Colonel 
Chetlain  of  the  old  Twelfth,  rising  from  a  sick-bed  and  entering  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  And,  too,  I  would  like  to  speak  of  the  dauntless 
valor  of  Rawlins  and  Rowley  and  Campbell,  and  of  many  others  who 
distinguished  themselves  on  that  field. 

I  see  before  me  my  friend  from  Pennsylvania  [Mr.  McPherson], 
which  reminds  me  of  a  friend  of  us  both— young  Baugher,  a  lieutenant 
in  tha  lead-mine  regiment,  who,  wounded  six  times,  refused  to  leave  the 
fisld ;  and  when  finally  carried  off,  waved  his  sword  in  defiance  to  the 
enemy.  But  who  shall  attempt  to  do  justice  to  the  bravery  of  the 
soldiers  and  the  daring  and  skill  of  the  officers ;  who  shall  describe  all 
the  valor  exhibited  on  those  days ;  who  shall  presume  to  speak  of  all  the 
glory  won  on  that  blood-stained  field?  I  have  spoken  of  those  more 
particularly  from  my  own  part  of  the  State ;  but  it  is  because  I  know 


22  APPENDIX. 

them  best,  and  not  because  I  claim  more  credit  for  them  than  I  know  to 
be  due  to  the  troops  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  They  all  exhibited  the 
same  bravery,  the  same  unbounded  devotion,  the  same  ardor  in  vindi 
cating  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  Rag,  and  maintaining  the  prestige  of 
our  State. 

Mr.  WILSON.  I  desire  to  ask  the  gentleman  whether  he  denies  that 
the  army  was  surprised  at  Pittsburg  on  the  morning  of  Sunday  ? 

Mr.  WASHBUBNK.  I  state  that  I  have  the  fullest  authority  for  making 
a  substantial  denial  of  that  charge.  I  said,  however,  that  I  did  not  in 
tend  to  argue  that  question ;  that  it  was  not  necessary  for  the  defence 
of  General  Grant.  But  I  say,  whether  there  was  a  surprise  or  not,  the 
manner  in  which  all  those  gallant  troops  fought  on  that  day  has  con 
ferred  upon  them  and  upon  the  country  imperishable  renown. 

Mr.  WILSON.  I  desire  to  ask,  admitting  that  it  was  a  surprise,  whose 
fault  it  was  ? 

Mr.  WASHBURNE.  I  suppose  if  there  had  been  a  surprise  it  would 
have  been  the  fault  of  the  man  who  commanded  the  division  surprised. 
I  come  not  here,  however,  to  speak  of  the  faults  of  anybody,  but  to  do 
justice. 

Mr.  WILSON.     I  desire  the  gentleman  to  follow  that  a  little  further. 

Mr.  KELLOGG,  of  Illinois.  I  want  to  say  a  word  before  the  gentleman 
from  Iowa  proceeds.  My  colleague  (Mr.  Washburne)  has  defended  his 
friend  well.  I  regret  the  disposition  to  find  fault  with  our  generals  in 
the  field,  who  have  done  so  nobly,  so  bravely,  and  so  well.  Let  us 
remember  only  their  prowess  and  their  glory,  and  let  there  not  be 
crimination  and  recrimination.  Let  us  rather  glory  in  the  success  of 
our  arms  in  our  brilliant  achievements  on  the  well-fought  field,  and  say 
all  have  done  well.  I  regret  that  this  matter  of  crimination  of  officers 
in  the  field  should  b3  brought  up. 

Mr.  WILSON.  I  will  state  that  I  fully  concur  in  the  remark  of  the 
gentleman  from  Illinois  (Mr.  Kellogg)  last  on  the  floor,  that  this  matter 
oucjht  not  to  have  been  brought  up  here,  and  I  for  one  do  not  intend  to 
jo'n  in  any  crimination  or  recrimination.  I  have  thought  the  whole 
thing  out  of  taste.  I  have  thought  it  improper  and  uncalled  for.  There 
was  no  occasion  for  it  at  all  that  I  can  discover.  3sTo  charge  has  been 
made  here  against  General  Grant  or  any  other  officer  engaged  in  that 
contest,  although  there  are  very  grave  differences  of  opinion  in  relation 
to  certain  matters  connected  with  the  fight. 

Mr.  WASHBURXE.  I  cannot  yield  farther.  Whatever  may  be  my 
friend's  opinion  on  the  subject,  I  say  to  him  that  whenever  I  find  a 
general  from  my  own  State  at  the  head  of  an  army  attacked  as  General 
Grant  has  been,  I  will  feel  myself  called  upon,  in  all  places  and  upon 
all  occasions,  to  defend  him,  and  I  think  this  is  the  best  occasion  I  shall 
have,  and  I  intend  to  avail  myself  of  it.  I  believe,  notwithstanding 
the  desperate  fighting  on  Sunday,  and  the  partial  repulse  of  our  troops, 
that,  aided  by  the  fresh  troops  of  the  brave  Lew.  Wallace,  that  army 
could  have  whipped  the  enemy  on  Monday  without  further  re-enforce 
ments.  That  army  could  never  have  been  conquered.  But  I  would  not 
detract  from  the  glorious  fighting  of  Basil's  troops  on  Monday,  for  they 
behaved  with  great  gallantry  and  fought  bravely,  successfully,  and  well. 
Justice  must  be  done  to  all.*  By  a  general  order.  General  Halleck,  now 


APPENDIX.  '23 

on  the  spot  and  cognizant  of  all  the  facts,  has  publicly  thanked  the 
generals,  Grant,  Buell,  and  Sherman,  indorsing  their  bravery  and 
skill. 

Sir,  I  have  detained  the  House  too  long,  but  I  have  felt  called 
upon  to  say  this  much.  I  came  only  to  claim  public  justice  ;  the  battle 
of  Pittsburg  Landing,  though  a  bloody  one,  yet  it  will  make  a  bright 
page  in  our  history.  The  liual  charge  of  General  Grant  at  the  head  of 
his  reserves  will  have  a  place,  too,  in  history.  AVhile  watching  the 
progress  of  the  battle  on  Monday  afternoon,  word  came  to  him  that  the 
enemy  was  faltering  on  the  left.  With  the  genius  that  belongs  only  to 
the  true  military  man,  he  saw  that  the  time  for  the  final  blow  had  come. 
In  quick  words  he  said,  "Now  is  the  time  to  drive  them."  It  Avas 
worthy  the  world- renowned  order  of  Wellington,  "Up  Guards,  and 
at  them." 

Word  wTas  sent  by  his  bodj'-guard  to  the  different  regiments  to  be 
ready  to  charge  when  the  order  was  given  ;  then,  riding  out  in  front 
amid  a  storm  of  bullets,  he  led  the  charge  in  person,  and  Beauregard 
was  driven  howling  to  his  intrenchments.  His  left  was  broken,  and  a 
retreat  commenced  which  soon  degenerated  into  a  perfect  rout.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  was  three  to  our  two  in  men,  and  in  much  greater 
proportion  in  the  demoralization  of  an  army  which  follows  a  defeat. 
That  battle  has  laid  the  foundation  for  finally  driving  the  rebels  from 
the  Southwest.  So  much  for  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  which 
has  evoked  such  unjust  and  cruel  criticism,  but  which  history  will 
record  as  one  of  the  most  glorious  victories  that  has  ever  illustrated  the 
annals  of  a  great  nation. 


6 

CAPITULATION  OF  VICKSBURG.  ^ 

REPORT  OF  THE  OPERATIONS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  FROM  THE 
DAT  MAJOR-GENERAL  U.  S.  GRANT  ASSUMED  IMMEDIATE  COMMAND  OF 
THE  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  VICKSBURG  TO  THE  SURRENDER  OF  THAT 
PLACE. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  ) 
VICKSBURG,  Miss.,  July  G,  18G3.      ] 

COLONEL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  oper 
ations  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  co-operating  forces,  from  tha 
date  of  my  assuming  the  immediate  command  of  the  expedition  againsi 
Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  to  the  reduction  of  that  place. 

From  the  moment  of  taking  command  in  person  I  became  satisfied 
that  Vicksburg  could  only  be  turned  from  the  south  side,  and,  in  accord 
anco  with  this  conviction,  I  prosecuted  the  work  on  the  canal,  which 
had  been  located  by  Brigadier-General  Williams,  across  the  peninsula 
on  the  Louisiana  side  of  the  river,  with  all  vigor,  hoping  to  make  a  chan 
nel  which  would  pass  transports  for  moving  the  army  and  carrying  sup 
plies  to  the  new  baso  of  operations  thus  provided.  Tbe  task  'woa  much 


24  APPENDIX. 

more  herculean  than  it  at  first  appeared,  and  was  made  much  more  so 
by  the  almost  continuous  rains  that  fell  during  the  whole  of  the  time 
this  work  was  prosecuted.  The  river,  too,  continued  to  rise  and  make 
a  large  expenditure  of  labor  necessary  to  keep  the  water  out  of  our 
camps  and  the  canal. 

Finally,  on  the  8th  of  March,  the-  rapid  rise  of  the  river  and  the  con 
sequent  great  pressure  upon  the  dam  across  the  canal,  near  the  upper 
end,  at  the  main  Mississippi  levee,  caused  it  to  give  way  and  let  through 
the  low  lands  back  of  our  camps  a  torrent  of  water  that  separated  the 
north  and  south  shores  of  the  peninsula  as  effectually-  as  if  the  Missis 
sippi  flowed  between  them.  This  occurred  when  the  enterprise  prom 
ised  success  within  a  short  time.  There  was  some  delay  in  trying  to 
repair  damages.  It  was  found,  however,  that  with  the  then  stage  of 
water  some  oilier  plan  would  have  to  be  adopted  for  getting  below 
Vicksburg  with  transports. 

Captain  F.  E.  Prime,  Chief  Engineer,  and  Colonel  G.  G.  Pride,  who 
was  acting  on  my  staff,  prospected  a  route  through  the  bayous  which 
run  from  near  Milliken's  Bend  on  the  north  and  New  Carthage  on  the 
south  through  Roundaway  Bayou  into  the  Tansas  River.  Their  report 
of  the  praccicability  of  this  route  determined  me  to  commence  work 
upon  it.  Having  three  dredge  boats  sit  the  time,  the  work  of  opening 
this  route  was  executed  with  great  rapidity.  One  small  steamer  and  a 
number  of  barges  were  taken  through  the  channel  thus  opened,  but 
the  river  commencing  about  the  middle  of  April  to  fall  rapidly,  and  the 
roads  becoming  passable  between  Milliken's  Bend  and  New  Carthage, 
made  it  impracticable  and  unnecessary  to  open  water  communication 
between  these  points. 

Soon  after  commencing  the  first  canal  spoken  of  I  caused  a  channel 
to  be  cut  from  the  Mississippi  River  into  Lake  Providence ;  also  one  from 
the  Mississippi  River  into  Coldwater,  by  way  of  Yazoo  Pass. 

I  had  no  great  expectations  of  important  results  from  the  former  of 
these,  but  having  more  troops  than  could  be  employed  to  advantage  at 
Young's  Point,  and  knowing  that  Lake  Providence  was  connected  by 
Bayou  Baxter  with  Bayou  Macou,  a  navigable  stream  through  which  trans 
ports  might  pass  into  the  Mississippi  below,  through  Tansas,  Wachita, 
and  Red  Eivers,  I  thought  it  possible  that  a  route  might  be  opened  in 
that  direction  which  would  enable  me  to  co-operate  with  General  Banks 
at  Port  Hudson. 

By  the  Yazoo  Pass  route  I  only  expected  at  first  to  get  into  the  Yazoo 
by  way  of  Coldwater  and  Tallahatchie  with  some  lighter  gunboats  and 
a  few  troops,  and  destroy  the  enemy's  transports  in  that  stream  and  some 
gunboats  which  I  knew  he  was  building.  The  navigation,  however, 
proved  so  much  better  than  had  been  expected,  that  I  thought  for  a 
time  of  the  possibility  of  making  this  the  route  for  obtaining  the  foot 
hold  on  high  land  above  Llaines's  Bluff,  Mississippi,  and  small  class  steam 
ers  were  accordingly  ordered  for  transporting  an  army  that  way.  Ma 
jor-General  J.  B.  McPherson,  commanding  Seventeenth  Army  Corps, 
was  directed  to  hold  his  corps  in  readiness  to  move  by  this  route ;  and 
one  division  from  each  the  Thirteenth  and  Fifteenth  Corps  were  collected 
near  the  entrance  of  the  pass  to  be  added  to  his  command.  It  soon 


APPENDIX.  25 

became  evident  that  a  sufficient  number  of  boats  of  the  right  class  could 
not  be  obtained  for  the  movement  of  more  than  one  division. 

Whilst  my  forces  were  opening  one  end  of  the  pass  the  enemy  was 
diligently  closing  the  other  end,  and  in  this  way  succeeded  in  gaming 
time  to  strongly  fortify  Greenwood,  below  the  junction  of  the  Tallahatchie 
and  Yallobusha.  The  advance  of  the  expedition,  consisting  of  one  divi 
sion  of  McClernand's  Corps  from  Helena,  commanded  by  Brigadier-Gene 
ral  L.  F.  Ross,  and  the  Twelfth  and  Seventeenth  regiments  Missouri  In 
fantry,  from  Sherman's  Corps,  as  sharpshooters  on  the  gunboats,  succeed 
ed  in  reaching  Coldwater  on  the  2d  day  of  March,  after  much  difficulty, 
and  the  partial  disabling  of  most  of  the  boats.  From  the  entrance  into 
Coldwater  to  Fort  Pemberton,  at  Greenwood,  Mississippi,  no  great  diffi 
culty  of  navigation  was  experienced,  nor  any  interruption  of  magnitude 
from  the  enemy.  Fort  Pemberton  extends  from  the  Tallahatchie  to  the 
Yazoo  at  Greenwood.  Here  the  two  rivers  come  within  a  few  hundred 
yards  of  each  other.  The  land  around  the  fort  is  low,  and  at  the  time 
of  the  attack  was  entirely  overflowed.  Owing  to  this  fact  no  movement 
could  be  made  by  the  army  to  reduce  it,  but  all  depended  upon  the  abil 
ity  of  the  gunboats  to  silence  the  guns  of  the  enemy  and  enable  the 
transports  to  run  down  and  land  troops  immediately  on  the  fort  itself. 
After  an  engagement  of  several  hours  the  gunboats  drew  off,  being  un 
able  to  silence  the  batteries.  Brigadier-General  J.  F.  Quimby,  command 
ing  a  division  of  McPherson's  Corps,  met  the  expedition  under  Ross 
with  his  division  on  its  return  near  Fort  Pemberton,  on  the  21st  of  March, 
and,  being  the  senior,  assumed  command  of  the  entire  expedition,  and 
returned  to  the  position  Ross  had  occupied. 

On  the  23d  day  of  March  I  sent  orders  for  the  withdrawal  of  all  the 
forces  operating  in  that  direction,  for  the  purpose  of  concentrating  my 
army  at  Milliken's  Bend. 

On  the  14th  day  of  March  Admiral  D.  D.  Porter,  commanding  Mis 
sissippi  squadron,  informed  me  that  he  had  made  a  reconnoissance  up 
Steele's  Bayou,  and  partially  through  Black  Bayou  towards  Deer  Creek, 
and  so  far  as  explored  these  water  courses  were  reported  navigable  for 
the  smaller  iron-clads.  Information  given  mostly,  I  believe,  by  the 
negroes  of  the  country,  was  to  the  effect  that  Deer  Creek  could  be 
navigated  to  Rolling  Fork,  and  that  from  there,  through  the  Sunflower 
to  the  Yazoo  River,  there  was  no  question  about  the  navigation.  On 
the  following  morning  I  accompanied  Admiral  Porter  in  the  ram  Price 
—seven  iron-clads  preceding  us — up  through  Steele's  Bayou  to  near 
Black  Bayou. 

At  this  time  our  forces  were  at  a  dead-lock  at  Greenwood,  and  I 
looked  upon  the  success  of  this  enterprise  as  of  vast  importance.  •  It 
would,  if  successful,  leave  Greenwood  between  two  forces  of  ours, 
and  would  necessarily  cause  the  immediate  abandonment  of  that  strong 
hold. 

About  thirty  steamers  of  the  enemy  would  have  been  destroyed  or 
fallen  into  our  hands.  Seeing  that  the  great  obstacle  to  navigation,  so 
far  as  I  had  gone,  was  from  overhanging  trees,  I  left  Admiral  Porter 
near  Black  Bayou  and  pushed  back  to  Young's  Point  for  the  purpose  of 
sending  forward  a  pioneer  corps  to  remove  these  difficulties.  Soon 


26  APPENDIX. 

after  my  return  to  Young's  Point,  Admiral  Porter  sent  back  to  me  for 
a  co-operating  military  force.  Sherman  was  promptly  sent  with  one 
division  of  his  corps.  The  number  of  steamers  suitable  for  the  naviga 
tion  of  these  bayous  being  limited,  most  of  the  force  was  sent  up  the 
Mississippi  River  to  Eagle's  Bend,  a  point  wliore  the  river  runs  within 
one  mile  of  Steele's  Bayou,  thus  saving  an  important  part  of  this  dif 
ficult  navigation.  The  expedition  failed,  probably  more  from  want  of 
knowledge  as  to  what  would  be  required  to  open  this  route  than  from 
any  impracticability  in  the  navigation  of  the  streams  and  bayous  through 
whicn  it  was  proposed  to  pass.  Want  of  this  knowledge  led  the  ex 
pedition  on  until  difficulties  were  encountered,  and  then  it  would  be 
come  necessary  to  send  back  to  Young's  Point  for  the  means  of  re 
moving  them.  This  gave  the  enemy  time  to  move  forces  to  effectually 
checkmate  further  progress,  and  the  expedition  was  withdrawn  when 
within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  free  and  open  navigation  to  the  Yazoo. 

All  this  may  have  been  providential  in  driving  us  ultimately  to  a  line 
of  operations  which  has  proven  eminently  successful. 

For  further  particulars  of  the  Steele's  Bayou  expedition  see  report  of 
Major-General  "W.  T.  Sherman,  forwarded  on  the  12th  of  April. 

As  soon  as  I  decided  to  open  water  communication  from  a  point  on 
the  Mississippi  near  Milliken's  Bend  to  New  Carthage.  I  determined 
to  occupy  the  latter  place,  it  being  the  first  point  below  Yicksburg  that 
could  be  reached  by  land  at  the  stage  of  water  then  existing,  and  the 
occupancy  of  which,  while  it  secured  to  us  a  point  on  the  Mississippi 
River,  would  also  protect  the  main  line  of  communication  by  water. 
Accordingly,  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  Major-General  J.  A.  McCIer- 
nand  commanding,  was  directed  to  take  up  its  line  of  march  on  the  29th 
day  of  March  for  New  Carthage,  the  Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps 
to  follow,  moving  no  faster  than  supplies  and  ammunition  could  be 
transported  to  them. 

The  roads  though  level  were  intolerably  bad,  and  the  movement  was 
therefore  necessarily  slow.  Arriving  at  Smith's  plantation,  two  miles 
from  New  Carthage,  it  was  found  that  the  levee  of  Bayou  Yidal  was 
broken  in  several  places,  thus  leaving  New  Carthage  an  island. 

All  the  boats  that  could  be  were  collected  from  the  different  bayous 
in  the  vicinity,  and  others  were  built,  but  the  transportation  of  an 
army  in  this  way  was  found  exceedingly  tedious.  Another  route  had 
to  be  found.  This  was  done  by  making  a  further  march  around  Yidal 
to  Perkins's  plantation,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles  more,  making  the 
whole  distance  to  be  marched  from  Milliken's  Bend  to  reach  water  com 
munication  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  point  thirty-five  miles.  Over 
this  distance,  with  bad  roads  to  contend  against,  supplies  of  ordnance 
stores  and  provisions  had  to  be  hauled  by  wagons,  with  which  to  com 
mence  the  campaign  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 

At  the  same  time  that  I  ordered  the  occupation  of  New  Carthage, 
preparations  were  made  for  running  transports  by  the  Yicksburg  bat 
teries  with  Admiral  Porter's  gunboat  fleet. 

On  the  night  of  the  16th  of  April  Admiral  Porter's  fleet  and  the 
transports  Silver  Wave,  Forest  Queen,  and  Henry  Clay,  ran  the  Vicks- 
burg  batteries.  The  boilers  of  the  transports  wore  protected  as  well 


APPENDIX.  2? 

as  possible  with  hay  and  cotton.  More  or  less  commissary  stores  were 
put  on  each.  All  three  of  these  boats  were  struck  more  or  less 
frequently  while  passing  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  the  Henry  Clay,  by 
the  explosion  of  a  shell  or  by  other  means,  was  set  on  fire  and  entirely 
consumed.  The  other  two  boats  were  somewhat  injured,  but  not 
seriously  disabled.  No  one  on  board  of  either  was  hurt. 

As  these  boats  succeeded  in  getting  by  so  well,  I  ordered  six  more  to 
be  prepared  in  like  manner  for  running  the  batteries.  These  latter, 
viz. :  Tigress,  Anglo-Saxon,  Cheeseman,  Empire  City,  Horizonia,  and 
Moderator,- left  Milliken's  Bend  on-  the  night  of  the  22d  of  April,  and 
five  of  them  got  by,  but  in  a  somewhat  damaged  condition.  The  Tigress 
received  a  shot  in  her  hull  below  the  water  line,  and  sunk  on  the 
Louisiana  shore  soon  after  passing  the  last  of  the  batteries.  The  crews 
of  these  steamers,  with  the  exception  of  that  of  the  Forest  Queen, 
Captain  D.  Conway,  arid  the  Silver  Wave,  Captain  McMillen,  were  com 
posed  of  volunteers  from  the  army.  Upon  the  call  for  volunteers  for 
this  dangerous  enterprise,  officers  and  men  presented  themselves  by 
hundreds,  anxious  to  undertake  the  trip.  The  names  of  those  whoso 
services  were  accepted  will  be  given  in  a  separate  report. 

It  is  a  striking  feature,  so  far  as  my  observation  goes,  of  the  present 
volunteer  army  of  the  United  States,  that  there  is  nothing  which  men 
are  called  upon  to  do,  mechanical  or  professional,  that  accomplished 
adepts  cannot  be  found  for  the  duty  required  in  almost  every  regiment. 

The  transports  injured  in  running  the  blockade  were  repaired  by 
order  of  Admiral  Porter,  who  was  supplied  with  the  material  for  such 
repairs  as  they  required,  and  who  was  and  is  ever  ready  to  afford  all 
the  assistance  in  his  power  for  the  furtherance  of  the  success  of  our 
arms.  In  a  very  short  time  five  of  the  transports  were  in  running  order, 
and  the  remainder  were  in  condition  to  be  used  as  barges  in  the  moving 
of  troops.  Twelve  barges  loaded  with  forage  and  rations  were  sent  in 
tow  of  the  last  six  boats  that  run  the  blockade ;  one-half  of  them  got 
through  in  a  condition  to  be  used. 

Owing  to  the  limited  number  of  transports  below  Yicksburg  it  was 
found  necessary  to  extend  our  line  of  land  travel  to  Hard  Times,  Louis 
iana,  which,  by  the  circuitous  route  it  was  necessary  to  take,  increased 
the  distance  to  about  seventy  miles  from  Milliken's  Bend  our  starting 
point. 

The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  being  all  through  to  the  Mississippi,  and 
the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  well  on  the  way,  so  much  of  the  Thirteenth 
as  could  be  got  on  board  the  transports  and  barges  were  put  aboard 
and  moved  to  the  front  of  Grand  Gulf  on  the  29th  of  April.  The  plan 
here  was  that  the  navy  should  silence  the  guns  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
troops  land  under  cover  of  the  gunboats  and  carry  the  place  by  storm. 

At  eight  o'clock  A.  M.  the  navy  made  the  attack,  and  kept  it  up  for 
more  than  five  hours  in  the  most  gallant  manner.  From  a  tug  out  in 
the  stream  I  witnessed  the  whole  engagement.  Many  times  it  seemed 
to  me  the  gunboats  were  within  pistol  shot  of  the  enemy's  batteries. 
It  soon  became  evident  that  the  guns  of  the  enemy  were  too  elevated 
and  their  fortifications  too  strong  to  be  taken  from  the  water  side. 
The  whole  range  of  hills  jon  that  side  were  known  to  be  lined  with  rifle 


28  APPENDIX. 

pits,  besides  the  field  artillery  could  be  moved  to  any  position  where 
it  could  be  made  useful  in  case  of  an  attempt  at  landing.  This  deter 
mined  mo  to  ran  again  the  enemy's  batteries,  turn  his  position  by 
effecting  a  landing  at  Rodney,  or  at  Bruinsburg,  between  Grand  Gulf 
and  Rodney.  Accordingly,  orders  were  immediately  given  for  the  troops 
to  debark  at  Hard  Times,  Louisiana,  and  march  across  to  the  point 
immediately  below  Grand  Gulf.  At  dark  the  gunboats  again  engaged 
the  batteries,  and  all  the  transports  run  by,  receiving  but  two  or  three 
shots  in  the  passage,  and  these  without  injury.  I  had  some  time  pre 
viously  ordered  a  reconnoissance  to  a  point  opposite  Bruinsburg,  to 
ascertain  if  possible  from  persons  in  the  neighborhood  the  character  of 
the  road  leading  to  the  highlands  back  of  Bruinsburg.  During  the 
night  I  learned  from  a  negro  man  that  there  was  a  good  road  from 
Bruinsburg  to  Port  Gibson,  which  determined  me  to  land  there. 

The  work  of  ferrying  the  troops  to  Bruinsburg  was  commenced  at 
daylight  in  the  morning,  the  gunboats  as  well  as  transports  being  used 
for  the  purpose. 

As  soon  as  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  was  landed,  and  could  draw 
three  days'  rations  to  put  in  haversacks  (no  wagons  were  allowed  to 
cross  until  the  troops  were  all  over),  they  were  started  on  the  road  to 
Port  Gibson.  I  deemed  it  a  matter  of  vast  importance  that  the  high 
lands  should  be  reached  without  resistance. 

The  Seventeenth  Corps  followed  as  rapidly  as  it  could  be  put  across 
the  river. 

About  two  o'clock  on  the  1st  of  May  the  advance  of  the  enemy  was 
met  eight  miles  from  Bruinsburg,  on  the  road  to  Port  Gibson.  He  was 
forced  to  fall  back,  but  as  it  was  dark  he  was  not  pursued  far  until  day 
light.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  I  went  out,  accompanied  by 
members  of  my  staff,  and  found  McClernand  with  his  corps  engaging  the 
enemy  about  four  miles  from  Port  Gibson.  At  this  point  the  roads 
branched  in  exactly  opposite  directions,  both,  however,  leading  to  Port 
Gibson.  The  enemy  had  taken  position  on  both  branches,  thus  dividing 
as  he  fell  back  the  pursuing  forces.  The  nature  of  the  ground  in  that 
part  of  the  country  is  such  that  a  very  small  force  could  retard  the  pro 
gress  of  a  much  larger  one  for  many  hours,  The  roads  usually  run  on 
narrow,  elevated  ridges,  with  deep  and  impenetrable  ravines  on  either 
side.  On  the  right  were  the  divisions  of  Hovey,  Carr,  and  Smith,  and 
on  the  left  the  division  of  Osterhaus,  of  McClernand's  Corps.  The  three 
former  succeeded  ia  driving  the  enemy  from  position  to  position  back 
towards  Port  Gibson  steadily  all  day. 

Osterhaus  did  not,  however,  move  the  enemy  from  the  position  occu 
pied  by  him  on  our  left  until  Logan's  Division,  of  McPherson's  Corps, 
arrived. 

McClernand,  who  was  with  the  right  in  person,  sent  repeated  messages 
to  me  before  the  arrival  of  Logan  to  send  Logan's  and  Quimby's  Divisions, 
of  McPhersou's  Corps,  to  him 

I  had  been  on  that  as  well  as  all  other  parts  of  the  field,  and  could 
not  see  how  they  could  be  used  there  to  advantage.  However,  as  soon 
as  the  advance  of  McPherson's  Corps  (Logan's  Division)  arrived,  I  sent 
one  brigade  to  McClernand  on  the  right,  and  sent  one  brigade,  Briga- 


APPENDIX.  29 

dier-General  J  E.  Smith  commanding,  to  the  left  to  the  assistance  of 
Osterhaus. 

By  the  judicious  disposition  made  of  this  brigade,  under  the  immediate 
supervision  of  McPherson  and  Logan,  a  position  was  soon  obtained 
giving  us  an  advantage  which  soon  drove  the  enemy  from  that  part  of 
the  Held,  to  make,  no  further  stand  south  of  Bayou  Pierre. 

The  enemy  was  here  repulsed  with  a  heavy  loss  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  prisoners.  The  repulse  of 'the  enemy  on  our  left  took  place  late  in 
the  afternoon.  He  was  pursued  towards  Port  Gibson,  but  night  closing 
in,  and  the  enemy  making  the  appearance  of  another  stand,  the  troops 
slept  upon  their  arms  until  daylight. 

In  the  morning  it  was  found  that  the  enemy  had  retreated  across 
Bayou  Pierre,  on  the  Grand  Gulf  road,  and  a  brigade  of  Logan's  Division 
was  sent  to  divert  his  attention  whilst  a  floating  bridge  was  being  built 
across  Bayou  Pierre  immediately  at  Port  Gibson.  This  bridge  was 
completed,  eight  miles  marched  by  McPherson's  Corps  to  the  north 
fork  of  Bayou  Pierre,  that  stream  bridged,  and  the  advance  of  this  Corps 
commenced  passing  over  it  at  five  o'clock  the  following  morning. 

On  the  3d  the  enemy  was  pursued  to  Hawkinson's  Ferry,  with  slight 
skirmishing  all  day,  during  which  we  took  quite  a  number  of  prisoners, 
mostly  stragglers,  from  the  enemy. 

Finding  that  Grand  Gulf  had  been  evacuated,  and  that  the  advance 
of  my  forces  was  already  fifteen  miles  out  from  there,  and  on  the  road, 
too,  they  would  have  to  take  to  reach  either  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  or 
any  intermediate  point  on  the  railroad  between  the  two  places.  I  deter 
mined  not  to  march  them  back,  but  taking  a  small  escort  of  cavalry, 
some  fifteen  or  twenty  men,  I  went  to  the  Gulf  myself,  and  made  the 
necessary  arrangements  for  changing  my  base  of  supplies  from  Bruins- 
burg  to  Grand  Gulf. 

In  moving  from  Milliken's  Bend,  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  Major- 
General  W.  T.  Sherman  commanding,  was  left  to  be  the  last  to  start. 
To  prevent  heavy  re-enforcements  going  from  Vicksburg  to  the  assistance 
of  the  Grand  Gulf  forces,  I  directed  Sherman  to  make  a  demonstration 
on  llaiaes's  Bluff,  and  to  make  all  the  show  possible.  From  information 
since  received  from  prisoners  captured,  this  ruse  succeeded  admirably. 

It  had  been  my  intention,  up  to  the  time  of  crossing  the  Mississippi 
River,  to  collect  all  my  forces  at  Grand  Gulf,  and  get  on  hand  a  good 
supply  of  provisions  and  ordnance  stores  before  moving,  and  in  the 
mean  time  to  detach  an  army  corps  to  co-operate  with  General  Banks 
on  Port  Hudson  and  effect  a  junction  of  our  forces. 

About  this  time  I  received  a  letter  from  General  Banks  giving  his 
position  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and  stating  that  he  could  return 
to  Baton  Rouge  by  the  10th  of  May;  that  by  the  reduction  of  Port 
Hudson  he  could  join  me  with  12,000  men. 

I  learned  about  the  same  time  that  troops  were  expected  at  Jackson 
from  the  Southern  cities  with  General  Beauregard  in  command.  To 
dejay  until  the  10th  of  May,  and  for  the  reduction  of  Port  Hudson  after 
that,  the  accession  of  12,000  men  would  not  leave  me  relatively  so 
strong  as  to  move  promptty  with  what  I  had.  Information  received 
from  day  to  day  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy  also  impelled  me  to  the 


30  APPENDIX. 

course  pursued.  Whilst  lying  at  Hawkinson's  Ferry  waiting  for  wagons, 
supplies,  and  Sherman's  Corps,  which  had  come  forward  in  the  mean 
time,  demonstrations  were  made,  successfully,  I  believe,  to  induce  the 
enemy  to  think  that  route,  and  the  one  by  Hall's  Ferry  above,  were 
objects  of  much  solicitude  to  me.  Reconnoissances  were  made  to  the 
west  side  of  the  Big  Black  to  within  six  miles  of  Warrenton.  On  the 
7th  of  May  an  advance  was  ordered,  McPherson's  Corps  keeping  the 
road  nearest  Black  River  to  Rocky  Springs,  McClernand's  Corps  keeping 
the  ridge  road  from  Willow  Springs,  and  Sherman  following  with  his 
corps  divided  on  the  two  roads.  All  the  ferries  were  closely  guarded 
until  our  troops  were  well  advanced.  It  was  my  intention  here  to  hug 
the  Black  River  as  closely  as  possible  with  McClernand's  and  Sherman's 
Corps,  and  get  them  to  the  railroad,  at  some  place  between  EdwarJs's 
Station  and  Bolton.  McPherson  was  to  move  by  way  of  Utica  to  Ray 
mond,  and  from  there  into  Jackson,  destroying  the  railroad  telegraph, 
public  stores,  etc.,  and  push  west  to  rejoin  the  main  force.  Orders  were 
given  to  McPherson  accordingly.  Sherman  was  moved  forward  on  the 
Edwards's  Station  road,  crossing  Fourteen-Mile  Creek,  at  Dillon's  Planta 
tion  ;  McClernand  was  moved  across  the  same  creek,  further  west,  send 
ing  one  division  of  his  corps  by  the  Baldwin's  Ferry  road  as  far  as  the 
river.  At  the  crossing  of  Fourteen-Mile  Creek  both  McClernaud  and 
Sherman  had  considerable  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  to  get  possession 
of  the  crossing. 

McPherson  met  the  enemy  near  Raymond  two  brigades  strong,  under 
Gregg  and  Walker,  on  the  same  day  engaged  him,  and  after  several 
hours'  hard  fighting,  drove  him,  with  heavy  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
prisoners.  Many  threw  down  their  arms  and  deserted. 

My  position  at  this  time  was  with  Sherman's  Corps,  some  seven  miles 
west  of  Raymond,  and  about  the  centre  of  the  army. 

On  the  night  of  the  12th  of  May,  after  orders  had  been  given  for  the 
corps  of  McClernand  and  Sherman  to  march  towards  the  railroad  by 
parallel  roads,  the  former  in  the  direction  of  Ed  wards'  s  Station  and  the 
latter  to  a  point  on  the  railroad  between  Ed  wards 's  Station  and  Bolton, 
the  order  was  changed,  and  both  were  directed  to  move  towards 
Raymond. 

This  was  in  consequence  of  the  enemy  having  retreated  towards 
Jackson  after  his  defeat  at  Raymond,  and  of  information  that  re-enforce 
ments  were  daily  arriving  at  Jackson,  and  that  General  Joe  Johnston 
was  hourly  expected  there  to  take  command  in  person.  I  therefore  de 
termined  to  make  sure  of  that  place  and  leave  no  enemy  in  my  rear. 

McPherson  moved  on  the  13th  to  Clinton,  destroyed  the  railroad  and 
telegraph,  and  captured  some  important  dispatches  from  General  Pem- 
berton  to  General  Gregg,  who  had  commanded  the  day  before  in  the 
battle  of  Raymond.  Sherman  moved  to  a  parallel  position  on  the  Mis 
sissippi  Springs  and  Jackson  road ;  McClernand  moved  to  a  point  near 
Raymond. 

The  next  day  Sherman  and  McPherson  moved  their  entire  forces 
towards  Jackson.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents  all  the  night  before,  and 
continued  until  about  noon  of  that  day,  making  the  toads  at  first  slip 
pery,  and  then  miry.  Notwithstanding,  the  troops  inarched  in  excellent" 


APPENDIX.  31 

order,  without  straggling  and  in  the  best  of  spirits,  about  fourteen  miles, 
and  engaged  the  enemy  about  twelve  o'clock,  M.,  near  Jackson.  McCler- 
nand  occupied  Clinton  with  one  division,  Mississippi  Springs  with  another, 
Raymond  with  a  third,  and  had  his  fourth  division  and  Blair's  division 
of  Sherman's  Corps,  with  a  wagon  train  Still  in  the  rear,  near  New 
Auburn,  while  McArthur,  with  one  brigade  of  his  division  of  McPher- 
son's  Corps,  was  moving  towards  Raymond  on  the  Utica  road.  It  was 
not  the  intention  to  move  these  forces  any  nearer  Jackson,  but  to  have 
them  in  a  position  where  they  would  be  in  supporting  distance  if  the 
resistance  at  Jackson  should  prove  more  obstinate  than  there  soemed 
reason  to  expect. 

The  enemy  marched  out  the  bulk  of  his  force  on  the  Clinton  road  and 
engaged  McPhersou's  Corps  about  two  and  half  miles  from  the  city.  A 
small  force  of  artillery  and  infantry  took  a  strong  position  in  front  of 
Sherman  about  the  same  distance  out.  By  a  determined  advance  of  our 
skirmishers  these  latter  were  soon  driven  within  their  rifle-pits  just  out 
side  the  city.  It  was  impossible  to  ascertain  the  strength  of  the  enemy 
at  this  part  of  the  line  in  time  to  justify  an  immediate  assault.  Conse 
quently  MePherson's  two  divisions  engaged  the  main  bulk  of  the  rebel 
garrison  at  Jackson,  without  further  aid  than  the  moral  support  given 
them  by  the  knowledge  the  enemy  had  of  a  force  to  the  south  side  of 
the  city,  and  a  few  infantry  and  artillery  of  the  enemy  posted  there  to 
impede  Sherman's  progress.  Sherman  soon  discovered  the  weakness 
of  the  enemy  by  sending  a  reconnoitring  party  to  his  right,  which  also 
had  the  effect  of  causing  the  enemy  to  retreat  from  this  part  of  his  line. 
A  few  of  the  artillerists,  however,  remained  in  their  places,  firing  upon 
Sherman's  troops,  until  the  last  moment,  evidently  instructed  to  do  so, 
with  the  expectation  of  being  captured  in  the  end.  On  entering  the 
city  it  was  found  that  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  had  retreated  north, 
after  a  heavy  engagement  of  more  than  two  hours  with  McPherson', 
Corps,  in  which  he  was  badly  beaten.  He  was  pursued  until  near  night, 
but  without  further  damage  to  him. 

During  that  evening;  I  learned  that  General  Johnston,  as  soon  as  he  had 
satisfied  himself  that  Jackson  was  to  be  attacked,  had  ordered  Pember- 
ton  peremptorily  to  march  out  from  the  direction  of  Vicksburg  and  at 
tack  our  rear.  Availing  myself  of  this  information,  I  immediately  issued 
orders  to  McClernand,  and  Blair,  of  Sherman's  Corps,  to  faco  their  troops 
towards  Bolton,  with  a  view  to  reaching  Edvvards's  Station,  marching  on 
different  roads  converging  near  Bolton.  These  troops  were  admirably 
located  for  such  a  move.  McPherson  was  ordered  to  retrace  his  steps 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  15th  on  the  Clinton  road.  Sherman  was  bit 
in  Jackson  to  destroy  the  railroads,  bridges,  factories,  workshops,  arse 
nals,  and  every  thing  valuable  for  the  support  of  the  enemy.  This  was 
accomplished  in  the  most  effectual  manner. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  1 5th  I  proceeded  as  far  west  as  Clinton,  through 
which  place  MePherson's  Corps  passed  to  within  supporting  distance  of 
Hovey's  Division  of  McClernand's  Corps,  which  had  moved  thai  day  on 
the  same  road  to  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  Bolton.  On  reaching 
Clinton,  at  a  quarter  to  five  p.  M.,  I  ordered  McClernand  to  move  his  com 
mand  early  the  next  iv.prning  towards  Ed  wards' s  Depot,  inarching  so  as 


82  APPEIODIX. 

to  feel  the  enemy,  if  he  encountered  him,  but  not  to  bring  on  a  general 
engagement  unless  he  was  confident  ho  was  able  to  defeat  him  ;  and  also 
to  order  Blair  to  move  with  him. 

About  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  two  men,  employees 
on  the  Jackson  and  Vicksburg  Railroad,  who  had  passed  through  Pern- 
be  rtoa's  army  the  night  before,  were  brought  to  my  head-quarters. 
They  stated  Pemberton's  force  to  consist  of  about  eighty  regiments, 
with  ten  batteries  of  artillery,  and  that  the  whole  force  was  estimated 
by  the  enemy  at  about  twenty-five  thousand  men.  From  them  I  also 
learned  the  positions  being  taken  up  by  the  enemy,  and  his  intention  of 
attacking  our  rear.  I  had  determined  to  leave  one  division  of  Sherman's 
Corps  one  day  longer  in  Jackson,  but  this  information  determined  me  to 
bring  his  entire  command  up  at  once,  and  I  accordingly  dispatched  him 
at  5.30  A.  M.,  to  move  with  all  possible  speed  until  he  came  up  with  the 
main  force  near  Bolton.  My  dispatch  reached  him  at  7.10  A.  M.,  and  his 
advance  division  was  in  motion  in  one  hour  from  that  time.  A  dispatch 
was  sent  to  Blair  at  the  same  time,  to  push  forward  his  division  in  the 
direction  of  Edwards's  Station  with  all  possible  dispatch.  McClernand 
was  directed  to  establish  communication  between  Blair  and  Osterhaus, 
of  his  corps,  and  keep  it  up,  moving  the  former  to  the  support  of  the  lat 
ter.  McPherson  was  ordered  forward  at  5.45  A.  M.,  to  join  McClernand, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wilson,  of  my  staff,  was  sent  forward  to  com 
municate  the  information  received,  and  with  verbal  instructions  to  Mc 
Clernand  as  to  the  disposition  of  his  forces.  At  an  early  hour  I  left  for 
the  advance,  and  on  arriving  at  the  crossing  of  the  Vicksburg  and  Jack 
son  Railroad  with  the  road  from  Raymond  to  Bolton,  I  found  McPher- 
son's  advance  and  his  Pioneer  Corps  engaged  in  rebuilding  a  bridge  on 
the  former  road  that  had  been  destroyed  by  the  cavalry  of  Osterhaus's 
Division  that  had  gone  into  Bolton  the  night  before.  The  train  of 
Hovey's  Division  was  at  a  halt,  and  blocked  up  the  road  from  further 
advance  on  the  Vicksburg  road.  I  ordered  all  quartermasters  and  wa- 
gonmasters  to  draw  their  teams  to  one  side  and  make  room  for  the  pas 
sage  of  troops.  McPherson  was  brought  up  by  this  road.  Passing  to 
the  front,  he  found  Hovey's  Division  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  at  a 
halt,  witli  our  skirmishers  and  the  enemy's  pickets  near  each  other. 
Hovey  was  bringing  his  troops  into  line,  ready  for  battle,  and  could 
have  brought  on  an  engagement  at  any  moment.  The  enemy  had  taken  up 
a  very  strong  position  on  a  narrow  ridge,  his  left  wing  resting  on  a  height 
where  the  road  makes  a  sharp  turn  to  the  left  approaching  Vicksburg. 
The  top  of  the  ridge  and  the  precipitous  hillside  to  the  left  of  the  road 
are  covered  by  a  dense  forest  and  undergrowth.  To  the  right  of  the 
road  the  timber  extends  a  short  distance  down  the  hill,  and  then  opens 
into  cultivated  fields  on  a  gentle  slope  and  into  a  valley  extending  for  a 
considerable  distance.  On  the  road  and  into  the  wooded  ravine  and  hill 
side  Hovey's  Division  was  disposed  for  the  attack.  McPherson's  two 
divisions — all  of  his  corps  with  him  on  the  march  from  Milliken's  Bend 
(until  Ransom's  Brigade  arrived  that  day  after  the  battle) — were  thrown 
to  the  right  of  the  road,  properly  speaking  to  the  enemy's  rear.  But  I 
would  not  permit  an  attack  to  be  commenced  by  our  troops  until  I  could 
hear  from  McClernand,  who  was  advancing  with  four  divisions,  two  of 


APPENDIX.  33 

them  on  a  road  intersecting  the  Jackson  road  about  one  mile  from  where 
the  troops  above  described  were  placed,  and^  about  the  centre  of  the 
ene-my's  line ;  the  other  two  divisions  on  a  road  still  north  and  nearly 
the  same  distance  off. 

I  soon  heard  from  McClernand,  through  members  of  his  staff,  and  my 
own,  whom  I  had  sent  to  him  early  m  the  morning,  and  found  that  by 
the  nearest  practicable  route  of  communication  he  was  two  and  a  half 
miles  distant.  I  sent  several  successive  messages  to  him  to  push  for 
ward  with  all  rapidity.  There  had  been  continuous  firing  between  Ho- 
vey's  skirmishers  and  the  rebel  advance,  which,  by  eleven  o'clock,  grew 
into  a  battle.  For  some  time  this  division  bore  the  hrunt  of  the  conflict ; 
but,  finding  the  enemy  too  strong  for  them,  at  the  instance  of  Hovey  I 
directed  first  one  and  then  a  second  brigade  from  Crocker's  Division  to 
re-enforce  him.  All  this  time  Logan's  Division  was  working  upon  the 
enemy's  left  and  rear,  and  weakened  his  front  attack  most  wonderfully. 
The  troops  here  opposing  us  evidently  far  out.nnrnbered  ours.  Expect 
ing  McClernand  momentarily  with  four  divisions,  including  Blair's,  I 
never  felt  a  doubt  of  the  result.  He  did  not  arrive,  however,  until  the 
enemy  had  been  driven  from  the  field,  after  a  terrible  contest  of  hours, 
with  a  heavy  loss  of  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  and  a  number  of 
pieces  of  artillery.  It  was  found  afterward  that  the  Vicksburg  road, 
after  following  the  ridge  in  a  southerly  direction  for  about  one  mile,  and 
to  where  it  intersected  one  of  the  Raymond  roads,  turns  almost  to  the 
west,  down  the  hill  and  across  the  valley  in  which  Logan  was  operating 
on  the  rear  of  the  enemy.  One  brigade  of  Logan's  Division  had,  uncon 
scious  of  this  important  fact,  penetrated  nearly  to  this  road,  and  com 
pelled  the  enemy  to  retreat  to  prevent  capture.  As  it  was,  much  of  his 
artillery  and  Loring's  Division  of  his  army  was  cut  off  besides  the  pris 
oners  captured.  On  the  call  of  Ilovey  for  more  re-enforcements,  just 
before  the  rout  of  the  enemy  commenced,  I  ordered  McPherson  to  move 
what  troops  he  could  by  a  left  flank  around  to  the  enemy's  front.  Logan 
rode  up  at  this  time  and  told  me  that  if  Hovey  could  make  another  dash 
at  the  enemy,  he  could  come  up  from  where  he  then  was,  and  capture  the 
greater  pa;  t  of  their  force.  I  immediately  rode  forward,  and  found  the 
troops  that  had  been  so  gallantly  engaged  for  so  many  hours,  withdrawn 
from  their  advanced  position,  and  were  filling  their  cartridge-boxes.  I 
directed  them  to  use  all  dispatch,  and  push  forward  as  soon  as  possi 
ble,  explaining  to  them  the  position  of  Logan's  Division.  Proceeding 
still  further  forward,  expecting  every  moment  to  see  the  enemy,  and 
reaching  what  had  been  his  line,  I  found  he  was  retreating.  Arriving 
at  the  Raymond  road,  I  saw  to  my  left  and  on  the  next  ridge  a  column 
of  troops,  which  proved  to  be  Carr's  Division  and  McClernand  with  it  in 
person;  and  to  the  left  of  Carr,  Osterhaus's  Division  soon  afterward  ap 
peared,  with  his  skirmishers  well  in  advance.  I  sent  word  to  Osterhaus 
that  the  enemy  was  in  full  retreat,  and  to  push  up  with  all  haste.  The 
situation  was  soon  explained,  after  which  I  ordered  Carr  to  pursue  with 
all  speed  to  Black  River,  and  cross  it  if  he  could,  and  to  Osterhaus  to 
follow.  Some  of  McPhorson's  troops  had  already  got  into  the  road  in 
advance ;  but  having  marched  and  engaged  the  enemy  all  day,  they 
wore  fatigued,  and  gave  the  road  to  Carr,  who  ccmtinuod  tho  pursuit 


84  APPENDIX. 

until  after  dark,  capturing  a  train  of  cars  loaded  with  commissary  and 
ordnance  stores  and  other  property. 

The  delay  in  the  advance  of  the  troops  immediately  with  McClernand 
was  caused,  no  doubt,  by  the  enemy  presenting  a  front  of  artillery  and 
infantry  where  it  was  impossible,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the 
density  of  the  forest,  to  discover  his  numbers.  As  it  was,  the  battle  of 
Champion's  Hill,  or  Baker's  Creek,  was  fought  mainly  by  Hovey's  Divi 
sion  of  McClernand's  Corps  and  Logan's  and  Quimby's  Divisions  (the  latter 
commanded  by  Brigadier-General  M.  M.  Crocker)  of  McPh<,rson's  Corps. 

Ransom's  brigade,  of  McPherson's  Corps,  came  on  to  the  field  whe^e 
the  main  battle  had  been  fought,  immediately  after  the  enemy  had  be 
gun  his  retreat. 

Word  was  sent  to  Sherman,  at  Bolton,  of  the  result  of  the  day's  en 
gagement,  with  directions  to  turn  his  corps  towards  Bridgeport,  and  to 
Blair  to  join  him  at  this  latter  place. 

At  daylight  on  the  17th  the  pursuit  was  renewed,  with  McClernand's 
Corps  in  the  advance.  The  enemy  was  found  strongly  posted  on  both 
sides  of  the  Black  River.  At  this  point  on  Black  River  the  bluffs  extend 
to  the  water's  edge  on  the  west  bank.  On  the  east  side  is  an  open,  cul 
tivated  bottom,  of  near  one  mile  in  width,  surrounded  by  a  bayou  of 
stagnant  water,  from  two  to  three  feet  in  depth,  and  from  ten  to  twenty 
feet  in  width,  from  the  river  above  the  railroad  to  the  river  below.  Fol 
lowing  the  inside  line  of  this  bayou,  the  enemy  had  constructed  rifle- 
pits,  with  the  bayou  to  serve  as  a  ditch  on  the  outside  and  immediately 
in  front  of  them.  'Carr's  Division  occupied  the  right  in  investing  this 
place,  and  Lawler's  Brigade  the  right  of  his  division.  After  a  few  hours' 
skirmishing,  Lawler  discovered  that  by  moving  a  portion  of  his  brigade 
under  cover  of  the  river  bank,  he  could  get  a  position  from  which  that 

S'ace  could  be  successfully  assaulted,  and  ordered  a  charge  accordingly, 
otwithstanding  the  level  ground  over  which  a  portion  of  his  troops 
had  to  pass  without  cover,  and  the  great  obstacle  of  the  ditch  in  the 
front  of  the  enemy's  works,  the  charge  was  gallantly  and  successfully 
made,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  entire  garrison,  with  seventeen  pieces  of 
artillery,  were  the  trophies  of  this  brilliant  and  daring  movement.  The 
enemy  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  immediately  set  fire  to  the  railroad 
bridge  and  retreated,  thus  cutting  off  all  chance  of  escape  for  any  por 
tion  of  his  forces  remaining  on  the  east  bank. 

Sherman  by  this  time  had  readied  Bridgeport,  on  Black  River,  above. 
The  only  pontoon  train  with  the  expedition  was  with  him.  By  the 
morning  of  the  18th  he  had  crossed  the  river,  and  was  ready  to  march 
on  Walnut  Hills.  McClernand  and  McPhersou  built  floating  bridges 
during  the  night,  and  had  them  ready  for  crossing  their  commands  by 
eight  A.  M.  of  the  1 8th. 

The  march  was  commenced  by  Sherman  at  an  early  hour,  by  the 
Bridgeport  and  Vicksburg  road,  turning  to  the  right  when  within  three 
and  a  half  miles  of  Vicksburg,  to  get  possession  of  Walnut  Hills  and 
the  Tazoo  River.  This  was  successfully  accomplished  before  the  night 
of  the  18th.  McPherson  crossed  Black  River  above  the  Jackson  road, 
and  came  into  the  same  road  with  Sherman,  but  to  his  rear.  He  arrived 
after  nightfall  with  his  advance  to  whore  Sherman  turned  to  the  right. 


, 


APPENDIX.  35 

McClernand  moved  by  the  Jackson  and  Yicksburg  road  to  Mount  Al- 
bans,  and  there  turned  to  the  left  to  get  into  Baldwin's  Ferry  road.  By 
this  disposition  the  three  army  corps  covered  all  the  ground  their 
strength  would  admit  of,  and  by  the  morning  of  the  19th  the  investment 
of  Vicksburg  was  made  as  complete  as  could  be  by  the  forces  at  my 
command. 

During  the  day  there  was  continuous  skirmishing,  and  I  was  not  with 
out  hope  of  carrying  the  enemy's  works.  Kelying  upon  the  demorali 
zation  of  the  enemy,  in  consequence  of  repeated  defeats  outside  of 
Vicksburg,  I  ordered  a  general  assault  at  two  P.  M.  on  this  day. 

The  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  from  having  arrived  in  front  of  the  enemy's 
works  in  time  on  the  18th  to  get  a  good  position,  were  enabled  to  make 
a  vigorous  assault.  The  Thirteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  succeeded 
no  further  than  to  gain  advanced  positions,  covered  from  the  fire  of  the 
enemy.  The  20th  and  21st  were  spent  in  perfecting  communications 
with  our  supplies.  Most  of  the  troops  had  been  marching  and  fighting 
battles  for  twenty  days,  on  an  average  of  about  five  days'  rations,  drawn 
from  the  commissary  department.  Though  they  had  not  suffered  from 
short  rations  up  to  this  time,  the  want  of  bread  to  accompany  the  other 
rations  was  beginning  to  be  much  felt.  On  the  21st,  my  arrangements 
for  drawing  supplies  of  every  description  being  complete,  I  determined  to 
make  another  effort  to  carry  Vicksburg  by  assault.  There  were  many 
reasons  to  determine  me  to  adopt  this  course.  I  believed  an  assault 
from  the  position  gained  by  this  time  could  be  made  successfully.  It 
was  known  that  Johnston  was  at  Canton  with  the  force  taken  by  him 
from  Jackson,  re-enforced  by  other  troops  from  the  east,  and  that  more 
were  daily  reaching  him.  With  the  force  I  had,  a  short  time  must  have 
enabled  him  to  attack  me  in  the  rear,  and  possibly  succeeded  in  raising 
the  siege.  Possession  of  Vicksburg  at  that  time  would  have  enabled 
me  to  have  turned  upon  Johnston  and  driven  him  from  the  State,  and 
possess  myself  of  all  the  railroads  £nd  practical  military  highways,  thus 
effectually  securing  to  ourselves  all  territory  west  of  the  Tombigbee, 
and  this  before  the  season  was  too  far  advanced  for  campaigning  in 
this  latitude.  It  would  have  saved  government  sending  large  re-enforce 
ments,  much  needed  elsewhere  ;  and  finally,  the  troops  themselves  were 
impatient  to  possess  Vicksburg,  and  would  not  have  worked  in  the 
trenches  with  the  same  zeal,  believing  it  unnecessary,  that  they  did  after 
their  failure  to  carry  the  enemy's  works.  Accordingly,  on  the  21st, 
orders  were  issued  for' a  general  assault  on  the  whole  line,  to  commence 
at  10  A.  M.  on  the  22d.  All  the  corps  commanders  set  their  time  by 
mine,  that  there  should  be  no  difference  between  them  in  movement  of 
assault.  Promptly  at  the  hour  designated,  the  three  army  corps  then 
in  front  of  the  enemy's  works  commenced  the  assault.  I  had  taken  a 
commanding  position  near  McPherson's  fr6nt,  and  from  which  I  could 
see  all  the  advancing  columns  from  his  corps,  and  a  part  of  each  of 
Sherman's  and  McClernand's.  A  portion  of  the  commands  of  each  suc 
ceeded  in  planting  their  flags  on  the  outer  slopes  of  the  enemy's  bastions, 
and  maintained  them  there  until  night.  Each  corps  had  many  more 
men  ^han  could  possibly  be  used  in  the  assault,  over  such  ground  as 
intervened  between  them  and  the  enemy.  More  men  could  only  avail 


36  APPENDIX. 

in  case  of  breaking  through  the  enemy's  line,  or  in  repelling  a  sortie. 
The  assault  was  gallant  in  the  extreme  on  the  part  of  all  the  troops ; 
but  the  enemy's  position  was  too  strong,  both  naturally  and  artificially, 
to  be  taken  in  that  wfcy.  At  every  point  assaulted,  and  at  all  of  them  at 
the  same  time,  the  enemy  was  able  to  show  all  the  force  his  works  could 
cover.  The  assault  failed,  I  regret  to  say,  with  much  loss  on  our  side 
in  killed  and  wounded,  but  without  weakening  the  confidence  of  the 
troops  in  their  ability  to  ultimately  succeed. 

No  troops  succeeded  in  entering  any  of  the  enemy's  works  with  the 
exception  of  Sergeant  Griffith,  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  Iowa  Vol 
unteers,  and  some  eleven  privates  of  the  same  regiment.  Of  these  none 
returned  except  the  sergeant  and  possibly  one  man.  The  work  entered 
by  him,  from  its  position,  could  give  us  no  practical  advantage,  unless 
others  to  the  right  and  left  of  it  were  carried  and  held  at  the  same  time. 

About  12  M.  I  received  a  dispatch  from  McClernand  that  he  was  hard 
pressed  at  several  points,  in  reply  to  which  I  directed  him  to  re-enforce  the 
points  hard  pressed  from  such  troops  as  he  had  that  were  not  engaged. 
I  then  rode  round  to  Sherman,  and  had  just  reached  there  when  I  re 
ceived  a  second  dispatch  from  McClernand  stating  positively  and  une 
quivocally  that  he  was  in  possession  of  and  still  held  two  of  the  enemy's 
forts,  that  the  American  flag  then  waved  over  them,  and  asking  me  to 
have  Sherman  and  McPherson  make  a  diversion  in  his  favor.  This 
dispatch  I  showed  to  Sherman,  who  immediately  ordered  a  renewal  of 
the  assault  on  his  front.  I  also  sent  an  answer  to  McClernand  directing 
him  to  order  up  McArthur  to  his  assistance,  and  started  immediately  to 
the  position  1  had  just  left  on  McPherson's  line  to  convey  to  him  the  in 
formation  from  McClernand  by  this  last  dispatch,  that  he  might  make 
the  diversion  requested.  Before  reaching  McPherson  I  met  a  messenger 
with  a  third  dispatch  from  McClernand,  of  which  tho  following  is  a 
copy: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  THIRTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 

IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  VICKSBURG,  Miss.,  May  22,  1863.  j 

GENERAL: — We  have  gained  the  enemy's  intrenchments  at  several 
points,  but  are  brought  to  a  stand.  I  have  sent  word  to  McArthur  to 
re-enforce  me  if  he  can.  Would  it  not  be  best  to  concentrate  the  wkole 
or  a  part  of  his  command  on  this  point  ? 

JOHN  A.  MCCLERNAND,  Major-  General  Commanding. 

Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT. 

P.  S. — I  have  received  your  dispatch.  My  troops  are  all  engaged, 
and  I  cannot  withdraw  any  to  re-enforce  others. 

McC. 

The  position  occupied  by  me  during  most  of  the  time  of  the  assault 
gave  me  a  better  opportunity  of  seeing  what  was  going  on  in  front  of 
the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  than  I  believed  it  possible  for  the  commander 
of  it  to  have.  I  could  not  see  his  possession  of  forts,  nor  necessity  for 
re-enforcements,  as  represented  in  his  dispatches,  up  to  the  time  I  left 
it,  which  was  between  twelve  M.  and  one  P.  M.,  and  I  expressed  doubts 


APPENDIX.  87 

of  their  correctness,  which  doubts  the  facts  subsequently,  but  too  late, 
confirmed.  At  the  time  I  could  not  disregard  his  reiterated  statements, 
for  they  might  possibly  be  true ;  and  that  no  possible  opportunity  of 
carrying  the  enemy's  stronghold  should  be  allowed  to  escape  through 
fault  of  mine,  I  ordered  Quimby's  Division,  which  was  all  of  McPher- 
son's  Corps  then  present  but  four  brigades,  to  report  to  McClernand,  and 
notified  him  of  the  order.  I  showed  his  dispatches  to  McPherson,  as  I 
had  to  Sherman,  to  satisfy  him  of  the  necessity  of  an  active  diversion 
on  their  part  to  hold  as  much  force  in  their  fronts  as  possible.  The 
diversion  was  promptly  and  vigorously  made,  and  resulted  in  the  in 
crease  of  our  mortality  list  full  fifty  per  cent,  without  advancing  our 
position  or  giving  us  other  advantages. 

About  half-past  three  p.  M.  I  received  McClernand's  fourth  dispatch, 
as  follows : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  THIRTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 
May  22,  1863.      f 

GENERAL  : — I  have  received  your  dispatch  in  regard  to  General 
Quimby's  Division  and  General  McArthur's  Division.  As  soon  as  they 
arrive  I  will  press  the  enemy  with  all  possible  speed,  and  doubt  not  I 
will  force  my  way  through.  I  have  lost  no  ground.  My  men  are  in 
two  of  the  enemy's  forts,  but  they  are  commanded  by  rifle-pits  in  the 
rear.  Several  prisoners  have  been  taken,  who  intimate  that  the  rear  is 
strong.  At  this  moment  I  am  hard  pressed. 

JOHN  A.  MCCLERNAND,  Major- General  Commanding. 
Major-General  U.  S.  GRANT,  Department  of  the  Tennessee. 

The  assault  of  this  day  proved  the  quality  of  the  soldiers  of  this  army. 
Without  entire  success,  and  with  a  heavy  loss,  there  was  no  murmuring 
or  complaining,  no  falling  back,  nor  other  evidence  of  demoralization. 

After  the  failure  of  the  22d,  I  determined  upon  a  regular  siege. 
The  troops,  now  being  fully  awak  e  to  the  necessity  of  this,  worked  dil 
igently  and  cheerfully.  The  work  progressed  rapidly  and  satisfactorily 
until  the  3d  of  July,  when  all  was  about  ready  for  a  final  assault. 

There  was  a  great  scarcity  of  engineer  officers  in  the  beginning,  but 
under  the  skilful  superintendence  of  Captain  F.  E.  Prime,  of  the  Engi 
neer  Corps,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wilson,  of  my  staff,  and  Captain  C.  B. 
Comstock,  of  the  Engineer  Corps,  who  joined  this  command  during  the 
siege,  such  practical  experience  was  gained  as  would  enable  any  divi 
sion  of  this  army  hereafter  to  conduct  a  siege  with  considerable  skill  in 
the  absence  of  regular  engineer  officers. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  3d  of  July  a  letter  was  received  from  Lieut.- 
General  Pemberton,  commanding  the  Confederate  forces  at  Vicksburg, 
proposing  an  armistice  and  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  arrange 
terms  for  the  capitulation  of  the  place.  The  correspondence,  copies  of 
which  are  herewith  transmitted,  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  the  city  and 
garrison  of  Vicksburg  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  July  4,  1863,  on  the  following 
terms :  The  entire  garrison,  officers  and  men,  were  to  be  paroled,  not 
to  take  up  arms  against  the  United  States  until  exchanged  by  the  prop 
er  authorities ;  officers  and  men  each  to  be  furnished  with  a  parole 


38  APPENDIX. 

signed  by  himself;  officers  to  be  allowed  their  side  arms  and  private 
baggage,  and  the  field,  staff,  and  cavalry  officers  one  horse  each ;  the  rank 
and  file  to  be  allowed  all  their  clothing,  but  no  other  property;  rations 
from  their  own  stores  sufficient  to  last  them  beyond  our  lines ;  the  no- 
cessary  cooking  utensils  for  preparing  their  food,  and  thirty  wagons  to 
transport  such  articles  as  could  not  well  be  carried.  These  terms  I  re 
gard  more  favorable  to  the  government  than  an  unconditional  surrender. 
It  saved  us  the  transportation  of  them  North,  which  at  that  time  would 
have  been  very  difficult,  owing  to  the  limited  amount  of  river  transporta 
tion  on  hand,  and  the  expense  of  subsisting  them.  It  left  our  army  free 
to  operate  against  Johnston,  who  was  threatening  us  from  the  direc 
tion  of  Jackson,  and  our  river  transportation  to  be  used  for  the  move 
ment  of  troops  to  any  point  the  exigency  of  the  service  might  require. 

I  deem  it  proper  to  state  here,  in  order  that  the  correspondence  may 
be  fully  understood,  that  after  my  answer  to  General  Pemberton's  letter 
of  the  morning  of  the  3d,  we  had  a  personal  interview  on  the  subject 
of  the  capitulation. 

The  particulars  and  incidents  of  the  siege  will  be  contained  in  the 
reports  of  division  and  corps  commanders,  which  will  be  forwarded  as 
soon  as  received. 

I  brought  forward,  during  the  siege,  in  addition  to  Lauman's  Division 
and  four  regiments  previously  ordered  from  Memphis,  Smith's  and  Kim- 
ball's  Divisions,  of  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  and  assigned  Major-General 
C.  C.  "Washburne  to  command  of  same.  On  the  llth  of  June,  Major- 
General  F.  J.  Herron's  Division  from  the  Department  of  the  Missouri 
arrived,  and  on  the  14th  two  Divisions  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  Major- 
General  J.  G.  Parke  commanding,  arrived.  This  increase  in  my  force 
enabled  me  to  make  the  investment  most  complete,  and  at  the  same 
time  left  me  a  large  reserve  to  watch  the  movements  of  Johnston. 
Herron's  Division  was  put  into  position  on  the  extreme  left,  south  of  the 
city,  and  Lauman's  Division  was  placed  between  Herron  and  McClernand. 
Smith's  and  Kimball's  Divisions  and  Parke's  Corps  were  sent  to  Haines's 
Bluff.  This  place  I  had  fortified  to  the  land  side,  and  every  preparation 
made  to  resist  a  heavy  force.  Johnston  crossed  Big  Black  River  with  a 
portion  of  his  force,  and  every  thing  indicated  that  he  would  make  an 
attack  about  the  25th  of  June.  Our  position  in  front  of  Vicksburg  hav 
ing  been  made  as  strong  against  a  sortie  from  the  enemy  as  his  works 
were  against  an  assault,  I  placed  Major-General  Sherman  in  command 
of  all  the  troops  designated  to  look  after  Johnston.  The  force  intended 
to  operate  against  Johnston,  in  addition  to  that  at  Haines's  Bluff,  was 
one  division  from  each  of  the  Thirteenth,  Fifteenth,  and  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  and  Lauman's  Division.  Johnston,  however,  not  attacking, 
I  determined  to  attack  him  the  moment  Yicksburg  was  in  our  posses 
sion,  and  accordingly  notified  Sherman  that  I  should  again  make  an 
assault  on  Yicksburg  at  daylight  of  the  6th,  and  for  him  to  have  up 
supplies  of  all  descriptions  ready  to  move  upon  receipt  of  orders  if 
the  assault  should  prove  a  success.  His  preparations  were  immediately 
made,  and  when  the  place  surrendered  on  the  4th,  two  days  earlier  than 
I  had  fixed  for  the  attack,  Sherman  was  found  ready,  and  moved  at 
once  with  a  force  increased  by  the  remainder  of  both  the  Thirteenth 


APPENDIX.  39 

and  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  and  is  at  present  investing  Jackson,  where 
Johnston  has  made  a  stand. 

In  the  march  from  Bruinsburg  to  Vicksburg,  covering  a  period  of 
twenty  days,  before  supplies  could  be  obtained  from  government  stores, 
only  five  days'  rations  were  issued,  and  three  days'  of  these  were  taken 
in  haversacks  at  the  start,  and  were  soon  exhausted.  All  other  subsistence 
was  obtained  from  the  country  through  which  we  passed.  The  march  was 
commenced  without  wagons,  except  such  as  could  be  picked  up  through 
the  country.  The  country  was  abundantly  supplied  with  corn,  bacon, 
beef,  and  mutton.  The  troops  enjoyed  excellent  health,  and  no  army 
ever  appeared  in  better  spirit  or  felt  more  confident  of  success. 

In  accordance  with  previous  instructions,  Major-General  S.  A.  Hurl- 
but  started  Colonel  (now  Brigadier-General)  B.  H.  Grierson  with  a  cav 
alry  force  from  La  Grange,  Tennessee,  to  make  a  raid  through  the  central 
portion  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  to  destroy  railroads  and  other  public 
property,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a  diversion  in  favor  of  the  army 
moving  to  the  attack  on  Vicksburg.  On  the  17th  of  April  this  expedi 
tion  started,  and  arrived  at  Baton  Rouge  on  the  2d  of  May,  having  suc 
cessfully  traversed  the  whole  State  of  Mississippi.  This  expedition  was 
skilfully  conducted,  and  reflects  great  credit  on  Colonel  Grierson  and  all 
of  his  command.  The  notice  given  this  raid  by  the  Southern  press  con 
firms  our  estimate  of  its  importance.  It  has  been  one  of  the  most  bril 
liant  cavalry  exploits  of  the  war,  and  will  be  handed  down  in  history  as 
an  example  to  be  imitated.  Colonel  Grierson's  report  is  herewith  trans 
mitted, 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  an  expression  of  thankfulness  for 
my  good  fortune  in  being  placed  in  co-operation  with  an  officer  of  the 
navy  who  accords  to  every  move  that  seems  for  the  interest  and  success 
of  our  arms  his  hearty  and  energetic  support.  Admiral  Porter,  and  the 
very  efficient  officers  under  him,  have  ever  shown  their  greatest  readi 
ness  in  their  co-operation*,  no  matter  what  was  to  be  done  or  what  risk 
to  be  taken,  either  by  their  men  or  their  vessels.  Without  this  prompt 
and  cordial  support,  my  movements  would  have  been  much  embar 
rassed,  if  not  wholly  defeated. 

Captain  J.  II.  Shirk,  commanding  the  Tuscumbia,  was  especially 
.active  and  deserving  of  the  highest  commendation  for  his  personal 
attention  to  the  repairing  of  the  damage  done  our  transports  by  the 
Vicksburg  batteries. 

The  result  of  this  campaign  has  been  the  defeat  of  the  enemy 
in  five  battles  outside  of  ViclSburg :  the  occupation  of  Jackson,  the 
capital  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  and  the  capture  of  Yicksburg  and  its 
garrison  and  munitions  of  war :  a  loss  to  the  enemy  of  thirty-seven 
thousand  (37,000)  prisoners,  among  whom  were  fifteen  general  officers; 
at  least  ten  thousand  killed  and  wounded,  and  among  the  killed  Gen 
erals  Tracy,  Tilghman,  and  Green,  and  hundreds  and  perhaps  thousands 
of  stragglers  who  can  never  be  collected  and  reorganized.  Arms  and 
munitions  of  war  for  an  army  of  sixty  thousand  men  have  fallen  into 
our  hands,  besides  a  large  amount  of  other  public  property,  consisting 
of  railroads,  locomotives,  cars,  steamboats,  cotton,  &c.,  and  much  was 
destroyed  to  prevent  our  capturing  it. 


40  APPENDIX, 

•x 

Our  loss  in  the  series  of  battles  may  be  summed  up  as  follows : 

Kitted.  Wounded.    Missing. 

Port  Gibson 130  718  5 

Fourteen-Mile  Creek  (skirmish) 4  24 

Raymond 69  341  32 

Jackson 40  240  6 

Champion's  Hill 429  1,842  189 

Big  Black  railroad  bridge 29  242  2 

Vicksburg 545  3,688  303 

Of  the  wounded  many  were  but  slightly  wounded,  and  continued  on 
duty ;  many  more  required  but  a  few  days  or  weeks  for  their  recovery. 
Not  more  than  one-half  of  the  wounded  were  permanently  disabled. 

My  personal  staffs  and  chiefs  of  departments  have  in  all  cases  ren 
dered  prompt  and  efficient  service. 

In  all  former  reports  I  have  failed  to  make  mention  of  Company  A, 
Fourth  Regiment  Illinois  Cavalry  Volunteers,  Captain  S.  D.  Osband 
commanding.  This  company  has  been  on  duty  with  me  as  an  escort 
company  since  November,  1861,  and  in  every  engagement  I  have  been 
in  since  that  time  rendered  valuable  service,  attracting  general  attention 
for  their  exemplary  conduct,  soldierly  bearing,  and  promptness.  It 
would  not  be  overstating  the  merits  of  this  company  to  say  that  many 
of  them  would  fill  with  credit  any  position  in  a  cavalry  regiment. 

For  the  brilliant  achievements  recounted  in  this  report  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  their  comrades  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  Herron's  Divi 
sion  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier,  and  the  navy  co-operating  with  them, 
deserve  the  highest  honors  their  country  can  award. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient 
servant,  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Major- General  U.  S.  A.  Commanding. 

Colonel  J.  C.  KELTON,  A.  A.-G.  Washington,  D.  C. 


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Capt.  John  Foot. 

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L.  M.  Goldsborough. 
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John  A.  Dahlgren. 

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Com.  C.  H.  Davis. 
Com.  Win.  D.  Porter. 
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Larke,  J.K.  L32 

General  Grant 
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LIBRARY 

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